Travel Disruption: Top 5 Things to Know if You Are Stranded in Dubai

The current Middle East conflict has resulted in significant disruptions to Dubai’s airspace, impacting operations at both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum (DWC) airports. For the thousands of travellers temporarily stuck or delayed, this is a stressful situation.

At MsBee Group Travel, your safety and well-being are our highest priority. We are monitoring the situation in real-time and have prepared a clear, actionable guide. The UAE government and airlines are working to manage this emergency, and there is significant support available.

Here are the top five critical points you must know if you are stranded in Dubai:

1. ⚠️ The Reality: Airspace is Restricted Until At Least [March 3rd at 15:00] and partially open since 2 March 16: limited number of flights scheduled to leave,

First and foremost: The flight schedule is not in its usual state. While a “shutdown” implies a total blackout, airspace is under temporary, partial closure or restriction. This means that most flights—including long-haul operations by major carriers like Emirates and fly dubai—are suspended, cancelled, or significantly delayed.

The most recent update, summarised in our flight status graphic, indicates that operations will not resume before [15:00 UAE time on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026].

Critical Action: Do NOT Travel to the Airport

authorities are explicitly advising passengers not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking for a resumed flight. DXB has reached capacity, and city check-in services are also suspended. If you are already at the airport, please stay where you are and seek official guidance. If you are currently at a hotel or in the city, remain there.

2.✅ Who Pays? The Airline Duty of Care is MANDATORY (The “UAE Guarantee”)

While insurance may not pay, the airline must.

Airlines are required by law to provide a mandatory “Duty of Care” during significant flight cancellations, regardless of the cause. This isn’t just a favor; it’s a standard passenger right.

Your airline must provide:

• Reasonable meals and refreshments.

• Hotel accommodation (if you are now scheduled to fly the next day or later).

• Transport to and from that hotel.

The “GCAA extraordinary measures”

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has stepped up. They have officially announced that the UAE state is bearing the hosting and accommodation costs for stranded and transit passengers during this crisis. If the airline cannot arrange a hotel voucher for you (due to high volume), look for official GCAA staff in the terminals for assistance with the “GCAA-facilitated accommodation.”

Airlines, including Emirates, are offering free re-booking or full refunds, but phone lines are overloaded. Please manage your booking through their official app or website

3. ⚠️ Insurance Reality: Standard Coverage Excludes Act of War Clauses

You must manage your expectations regarding your travel insurance policy. We need to be direct:

Standard travel insurance policies often contain a “War and Civil Unrest Exclusion” clause. This means that if you try to claim reimbursement for cancellations or missed components directly caused by the conflict, your claim will likely be denied.

The Exception: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR)

If you purchased a premium “Cancel For Any Reason” policy (an optional upgrade typically bought within a week or two of your initial deposit), you might have coverage. Review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for your specific policy immediately and search for “War Exclusion” and “CFAR.”

Your Actions:

1. PDS Check: Find the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for your specific policy and search for the terms “Exclude,” “War,” “Conflict,” and “Delay.”

2. Contact Insurer: If you believe you have a claim (especially CFAR), contact your insurer directly.

The key takeaway is that for this specific crisis, your travel insurance is not your primary source of support for lodging and food.

4.Documentation for Claims

Even if insurance denies a “Cancellation” claim, you may still be able to claim for “Travel Delay.”

• Action: Get a written statement or a screenshot of the cancellation notice from the airline citing the reason.

• Action: Keep every single receipt (even for a bottle of water). Take photos of them immediately so you don’t lose the physical copies.

  

  5. ✅ The Positive News: Automatic Visa Extensions (Overstays are Excused)

  A major anxiety for many travelers is the expiration of their tourist or transit visas. We have excellent news:

  The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity (ICP) and Dubai’s immigration officials have confirmed that during national emergency situations—including airspace closures and flight groundings—automatic visa extensions are implemented.

  There is no penalty for involuntary overstays. If your visa expired after the disruption began, you will not face fines. This applies to tourists and transit passengers stuck in the city. You are protected, and you do not need to panic.

  For real-time confirmation, always check with the @DXBMediaOffice or @GCAAUAE official accounts, or ask GCAA officials if you are in the terminal.

  The Warning: Reputable Sources ONLY (Ignore Social Media Rumours)

  The single most dangerous element during a crisis is misinformation. Social media is currently flooded with rumours, clickbait, and influencer posts seeking “likes” rather than providing facts. For your safety and peace of mind:

  Ignore everything on social media unless it is from a verified, official source.

  Please turn on notifications and follow only these official channels for all real-time updates:

  • @DXB (Dubai International Airport)

  • @GCAAUAE (UAE General Civil Aviation Authority)

  • @emirates or @flydubai (Your specific airline)

  • @DXBMediaOffice (Official Dubai Government updates

    Summary from MsBee Group Travel

    This situation is complex, but you have significant protections from both the UAE state and your airline. Keep your cool, stay in your safe location, rely only on official sources, and manage your booking through airline apps. We are thinking of all our travellers and wishing you all a safe and swift return home.

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