British people are facing chaos as they try to travel back from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid widespread disruption to air travel in the Middle East. Iran has hit the UAE and several of its neighbours with strikes in recent days, in response to attacks by US and Israeli forces. The conflict has led to the grounding of flights and airspace above the Emirates was closed until some flights resumed on Monday. The disruption has left thousands of British people stranded.
Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper indicated that 102,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the region. She said a total of about 300,000 British citizens are in Gulf countries being targeted by Iran. Britons are being advised to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the Foreign Office’s travel advice, which officials expect to change rapidly.
Nick Westwood, 62, a retired train driver from Barnham, West Sussex, and his wife Joanne, 61, have been sleeping in the lobby of their high-rise rental while they wait to get home. The couple, who are in Dubai for a “bucket-list” holiday, had planned to leave on Sunday, but have had to extend their seven-day stay, paying an extra 400 AED (£81.00) per night. Mr Westwood said: “It is very, very scary, very stressful and it’s just like being trapped in limbo.” The couple have been told that rebooking their flights back to the UK will cost them £6,000.
Adam, a tourist who asked to be identified by his first name only, had been in Dubai for a week-long holiday with his wife and was due to fly home on 1 March. He said their biggest concern right now is not the missiles or drones, but their pet dog back home. “We have a Terrier who gets a bit anxious when we’re not around. We’re honestly more worried about him than about what’s happening here.” Emirates has provided them with accommodation, but uncertainty over when they can fly home is adding to their stress.
Ian, a company director from Doncaster, said he was travelling through Dubai on his way back from Sydney when his onward flight was cancelled on Sunday. “It was sheer bad luck,” he told The Independent. Ian said he is now waiting to find a route home and is worried about the escalating situation: “The airport is getting hit. A five-star hotel in Palm Jumeirah got hit. I will be more comfortable if I reach home at the earliest.”
Matthew McGinn and Layla Hamood, from Liverpool, travelled to the UAE for their honeymoon, but told the BBC they have been confined to their hotel and its grounds. Ms Hamood said: “It’s been terrifying to be honest. The bombing hasn’t stopped, we can hear the missiles and fighter jets. It’s been scary.” Emirates announced that some flights were set to resume, but plenty of confusion remains for those trying to get home.
