Warning issued to Brits in Dubai as flights cancelled | World | News
British nationals in Dubai have been told to prepare for major disruption after Iranian airspace was closed and flights across the Gulf grounded due to rapid military tensions. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed on Saturday that Iranian airspace was now closed, sparking widespread alarm about knock-on effects for global transit hubs including Dubai and Doha.
With international services already suspended, authorities fear hundreds of thousands of Britons could be stranded in the Gulf if the crisis continues. FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates. A spokesperson for the FCDO said: “Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in the UAE are required to shelter in place immediately.” Although the government still advised against travel to Iran, it warned that the UK’s diplomatic presence there was “extremely limited”, making consular assistance almost impossible.
Dubai and Doha are major destinations for British travelers heading to Asia, Australia and Africa. For those currently in the UAE, the FCDO has issued a strict “shelter in place” order. Authorities warned: “Stay safe indoors, avoid all travel and follow instructions from local authorities.”
Travelers are told to find the nearest secure building or designated shelter; It is stated that an interior stairwell or a room with few exterior walls may provide additional protection.
British citizens are urged to take reasonable precautions, including monitoring local and international media and avoiding areas around security or military installations. FCDO guidance suggests those affected should continually review their departure plans and ensure their travel documents are up to date. Traveling against official advice could void travel insurance policies, the government has warned.
According to Steve Swinford, Political Editor of The Times, the situation in Whitehall has reached a critical point. Highlighting the scale of the problem, Mr Swinford said: “There is growing concern in the government that hundreds of thousands of Britons could be stranded in the Gulf due to airspace closures if the conflict drags on.”
Noting that the demographics in the region are uniquely complex, he added: “There are a significant number of British people in the region, not least because Doha and Dubai are transit airports. We are talking about tourists, permanent residents and dual nationals here.”
Approximately 240,000 to 250,000 British expats live in the UAE, mostly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai was rocked by attacks throughout the night; Among the attacks was the luxury hotel Burj Al Arab.
The large number of people attending the event forced the government to begin high-level preparations. Mr Swinford confirmed: “Ministers are already asking the question – if it comes to that – how can we get them back home? Contingency planning is well underway in Whitehall.”
The FCDO’s immediate priority is to collect accurate data on the whereabouts of UK citizens. Mr Swinford explained: “The first step is for the government to ask people to register their assets. The government knows that hundreds of thousands of people have recently taken flights to places like Doha and Dubai. It does not know where they are now.”
This data collection is a prerequisite for any physical rescue operation. Mr Swinford said: “This is the first step before potential attempts at mass evacuation of Britons from the region. I think this will probably be coordinated with the EU and other allies.” The government is currently asking people to declare whether they are in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Israel or the Palestinian territories.
Express.co.uk has contacted the FCDO for further comment.
