UAE and Qatar to cover hotel and meal costs for those stranded in country during Iran attacks
UAE and Qatar to cover hotel and meal costs for those stranded in country during Iran attacks
Following Iran’s attacks, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have united to support stranded travelers by covering their lodging and dining expenses. The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) declared on 1 March that the government would shoulder all accommodation costs for passengers unable to leave due to airspace restrictions. A directive from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) instructed hotels to accommodate guests who had reached their check-out date but could not depart, with extended stays funded by the agency.
Stranded Passengers Supported by Both Nations
Qatar Tourism issued a similar request on 2 March, urging hotels to extend stays for those trapped by flight cancellations. The agency pledged to cover these additional costs, as reported by Doha News. Meanwhile, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) emailed hotels to offer the same flexibility, underlining that travelers could remain without financial burden. Hotels were advised to inform DET if they couldn’t manage the extended stay expenses.
Flight Operations Suspended Across the Region
The UAE has halted all commercial flights but is deploying emergency routes to assist stranded individuals. Airlines such as Emirates and Etihad Airways are reaching out to passengers for updates, with those not contacted urged to stay at home. Emirates suspended flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 3 pm local time (1 pm CET) on 3 March, while Etihad Airways extended its pause until 2 pm (12 pm CET) on 4 March.
In Qatar, Hamad International Airport has ceased operations entirely. Passengers are advised to avoid the airport, as Qatar Airways will provide further details on 4 March by 9 am local time (7 am CET). Kuwait also closed its airspace after a drone strike damaged Terminal One on 28 February, injuring nine staff members. The Public Authority for Civil Aviation stated on 1 March that assessments are ongoing, with repairs expected to resume operations “as soon as possible.”
Oman Air announced cancellations for flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab until 7 March. Saudia similarly suspended flights to Amman, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Moscow, and Peshawar until 11:59 pm local time (9:59 pm CET) on 4 March. Travelers are advised to anticipate delays and stay informed through airline communications.
“In light of the current circumstances and given that some guests have reached their check out date but are unable to travel for reasons beyond their control, you are kindly requested to extend their stay until they are able to depart.”
Over 20,200 travelers have been impacted by flight cancellations and rescheduling in the UAE, highlighting the scale of the disruption. Both countries’ efforts aim to alleviate the financial strain on stranded individuals during this crisis.
