The escalating conflict in the Middle East, triggered by the US-Israeli 'Operation Epic Fury' on 28 February, is causing significant disruption for travellers, including UK holidaymakers. The operation killed Iran's ruler Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the conflict has rapidly expanded to affect a dozen countries, with drone attacks reaching the RAF base in Cyprus.
Key tourist hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha have been hit. Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, was closed for three days due to drone debris, stranding hundreds of thousands. The luxury Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubai also caught fire after being struck by a projectile.
Dr John Rose, Chief Risk Advisor at ALTOUR, noted that retaliation against areas like the UAE was surprising, as they were considered safe. The US State Department has advised Americans to 'depart now' from 14 Middle Eastern nations, while the UK government has begun flying British nationals out of Oman and will start additional flights from the UAE on 4 March.
The situation remains fluid, with airspace over Iran closed and civilian travel to the country halted. While UAE airports are slowly restarting operations, airlines are offering free rebooking, and the UAE government is covering costs for stranded travellers. The US, UK, Canada, and Australia advise against all but essential travel to the UAE, and shelter-in-place advisories are in place for Qatar.
Many travellers are driving from the UAE to Oman, where flights still operate and risk is slightly lower. However, Oman's Duqm commercial port has been hit, indicating the conflict's reach. UK holidaymakers should monitor travel advisories and consider potential extra costs from cancellations or extended stays.
