UAE authorities step in to support stranded travellers after missile, drone attacks and flight cancellations
Abu Dhabi covers tourist accommodation as airspace closures leave thousands stranded
DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has seen unprecedented disruptions since Saturday, following Iranian missile attacks and subsequent airspace closures across the Gulf.
The closures led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, leaving thousands of tourists stranded across the UAE.
In response, local authorities and private hospitality companies have taken immediate steps to ensure the welfare of visitors.
Holiday Homes offer support
Dubai-based holiday home company AraBnB offered its vacant properties free of charge to tourists affected by flight cancellations. CEO Hreshan Raheja said the initiative was prompted after a family friend was stranded at Abu Dhabi Airport. “We had a number of vacant properties and were able to accommodate six to seven families free of charge,” he explained.
The company manages close to 40 properties, including villas and apartments across Dubai, and usually provides luxury rentals and property management services.
Raheja noted that the move inspired a wider community response. “We are part of a network of around 250 holiday home super-hosts in Dubai, and many offered free stays as well. For those we were unable to accommodate, we redirected them to other participating hosts,” he said.
Abu Dhabi extends hotel stays
In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) issued a circular instructing hotel general managers to extend stays for guests unable to depart “for reasons beyond their control.” The department itself will cover all additional room and meal costs.
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The directive, issued on Saturday, applies across hotels in Abu Dhabi and has been widely praised on social media. Users contrasted the move with surge pricing seen elsewhere during emergencies, describing it as a “true example for a tourist destination” and “people‑first leadership.”
UAE aviation measures
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed that approximately 20,200 passengers have been affected by flight cancellations and schedule changes since Saturday. Measures implemented include rerouting selected flights between UAE airports, expediting rebooking procedures, and strengthening ground coordination to reduce congestion at terminals. Temporary accommodation, meals, and refreshments have been provided, while airlines continue to facilitate onward travel in coordination with authorities.
Officials stressed that the State is bearing all hosting and accommodation costs for affected passengers, ensuring continued provision of essential services during the operational adjustments. The GCAA urged travellers to follow official updates through approved channels and contact airlines directly for developments concerning flights.
Private companies and public authorities alike have acted to ensure stranded tourists are supported. The combination of government directives, civil aviation operational plans, and private hospitality initiatives demonstrates the UAE’s structured response to an evolving regional crisis. Coordination between hotels, airlines, and aviation authorities continues as conditions develop, with a focus on passenger safety, accommodation, and efficient resumption of operations.