18,000 Stranded Travellers Have Been Evacuated From UAE Airports

Nearly 18,000 stranded passengers have been flown out of UAE airports since March 1, as authorities race to clear a growing backlog of travellers caught in the suspension of commercial flights following the outbreak of conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Flight operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) were halted on February 28, when Iran launched retaliatory strikes on Gulf states in response to US and Israeli attacks on Tehran. With 80 additional repatriation flights now scheduled, authorities are pressing to move the remainder of those still waiting.

The GCAA confirmed that more than 20,000 passengers were affected, with those still stranded housed at the government’s expense, including temporary accommodation, meals, and rebooking assistance.