All expenses paid: UAE provides accommodation, meals and flights to more than 20,000 travelers stranded in emirate due to Iran, US, Israel war

Amid widespread flight disruptions amid an escalating war between Iran, the United States and Israel, the United Arab Emirates has taken the extraordinary step of launching an emergency aviation support program that will cover all accommodation, meals and rebooking costs for passengers stranded by rescheduled or canceled flights at the country’s airports. The decision was announced by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to support travelers facing uncertainty as airspace closures and safety precautions continue to disrupt travel.

United Arab Emirates Bearing the costs of thousands of stranded passengers in the war between Iran, the United States and Israel

With flights rescheduled or delayed at major hubs such as Dubai International Airport (DXB), Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Sharjah International Airport, the UAE government has stepped in to ensure passengers do not bear the brunt of sudden disruptions. According to the plan:

The GCAA estimates that around 20,200 passengers have been affected by flight rescheduling so far, underscoring the scale of disruption and the breadth of government support plans.

Reasons for UAE flight disruptions

The disruptions are part of a wider aviation crisis across the Gulf, triggered by rising tensions over joint U.S. and Israeli military operations in Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation. Some countries, including Gulf states, have temporarily restricted or closed parts of their airspace as a precautionary safety measure, forcing airlines to cancel or postpone flights.Major UAE airlines including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia have announced temporary or extended flight suspensions, while international airlines including Lufthansa have avoided UAE airspace entirely for several days. The closure or restriction of airspace has had a global impact, with airports around the world reporting thousands of flight cancellations and transit passengers stranded amid uncertainty.

UAE provides ground assistance to stranded passengers amid war between Iran, US, Israel

The authorities are arranging support at the airport terminal and partner hotels to ensure that passengers affected by cancellations or delays are taken care of and discomfort is minimized:

In Abu Dhabi, tourism authorities also called on hotels to extend their stays for guests unable to travel due to the crisis, confirming that these extended stays would be borne by the state to ease the financial pressure on stranded tourists.

Practical tips for passengers affected by Iran, US, Israel wars

If you’re currently stranded in the UAE due to flight cancellations, travel experts recommend:

For tourists whose hotel reservations have expired or who are forced to check out due to flight cancellations, Abu Dhabi authorities have also instructed hotels to prioritize and extend the stay of stranded guests to ensure that they do not need to pay additional fees during this period. The UAE’s decision to pay for accommodation and living expenses for affected passengers is a rare large-scale intervention in state support for aviation and reflects the severity of the current crisis.By absorbing these fees, the UAE aims to protect travelers from undue hardship during volatile times, maintain international confidence in its aviation and tourism industries, and ensure the orderly and humane management of travelers while airspace remains restricted. These measures reinforce the UAE’s reputation as a global travel hub that prioritises not only operational safety but also the welfare of its passengers under extraordinary circumstances.