Is it safe to travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi? Latest UAE travel advice following drone attack on Kuwait

Following an Iranian drone attack on Kuwait International airport on Wednesday as part of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, many holidaymakers will have concerns over travel to the region.

Multiple people were injured in the attack on the airport’s T1 building, with flights suspended or diverted to alternative airports, a report citing the General Civil Aviation Authority said.

The temporary closure of Middle Eastern airspace in March grounded flights and severely disrupted travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after a series of strikes across the country.

Flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to the UK have since resumed, meaning that Britons now have more commercial options to travel to or leave the country.

However, the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has advised against all but essential travel to the UAE as the regional escalation poses “significant security risks”.

Here’s the latest travel advice for the UAE, plus all the key questions and answers.

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Is it safe to travel to the UAE?

The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the UAE as regional escalation “poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”.

What is the government's advice if you are already there?

The FCDO says that the Iranian regime has “publicly stated its intention to target locations associated with the United States and Israel. This includes US or Israeli-linked organisations, businesses, facilities and institutions”.

People are advised to stay away from areas around security or military facilities, and US or Israeli-linked locations.

“Iranian strikes against civilian infrastructure across the region, such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports, have decreased. However, the risk of renewed strikes remains, and further attacks could occur at short notice,” the FCDO says.

It advises following the instructions of the local authorities and monitoring local and international media for the latest information. Britons should read the FCDO’s crisis abroad guidance and sign up to travel advice email alerts.

The FCDO is also advising that “if local authorities advise you to take shelter, stay indoors or move to the nearest safe building immediately.”

“The greatest risk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure. Choose an interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible for additional protection.”

It asks people to also limit movements to essential journeys, and when travel is unavoidable, move in daylight hours, avoid crowded venues, keep your mobile phone with you and charged and let friends or family know where you are going.

“If you are away from your home or hotel, and an attack occurs or you receive an alert from the official UAE warning system, seek shelter in the closest building immediately,” it adds.

British embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai “continue to operate as normal”.

Travellers are also reminded that it is illegal to post material, including videos and photographs, online that is “critical of the UAE government, companies or individuals, or which relates to incidents in the UAE”, following the arrest of a British man in Dubai after allegedly filming missiles.

Are flights going to Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

Commercial flights to the UK from the UAE have resumed.

Emirates said in an update: “We continue to monitor the situation and are working to offer our customers even more flight options and connections.”

Customers will be rebooked on the next available Emirates flight in the event of travel disruption.

Those who booked flights from 2 April will also be offered “one complimentary date change, across all cabins”, said the airline.

Under air passengers’ rights rules, travellers are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible on any airline that has seats available.

How can I get home from the UAE?

According to the FCDO: “If your presence in the UAE is not essential, you may wish to consider departing – if you judge you can access these options safely. Check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator, as well as the instructions from local authorities, and the status of any border crossings before you travel.

“If you are travelling by air, do not travel to the airport unless your airline has confirmed your reservation.”

The Foreign Office adds that travel “within or out of the UAE is at your own risk”.

Can I cancel my holiday to the UAE?

Should you decide to cancel a flight ticket, holiday, tour or excursion to the UAE, speak to your travel provider. As the FCDO advises all but essential travel – urgent family or business commitments – to the UAE, you may be able to cancel a package holiday without penalty for a full refund. Package holidays must follow the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, with refunds issued if there has been a “significant change at your destination” before you travel. Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO.

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