Crowds of frustrated travellers at an airport terminal amid cancellations of all flights in the UAE.
Image: X/ @sowhatmfethu
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has truly raised the standard for the tourism industry. By covering the costs of food, flights, and accommodation for travellers who were stranded after airport closures, the UAE has set an impressive benchmark.
On Saturday, February 28, Iran launched retaliatory missiles and drones against US military bases in the Gulf region, targeting cities in several Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. This action followed reported US-Israel strikes on Iran.
For safety concerns, the UAE announces closures of its airspace.
Despite the widespread chaos and frustration, a positive outcome emerged for tourists as the UAE agreed to cover the unforeseen expenses of more than 20,000 passengers.
A copy of the letter shared with UAE hotels has been circulating on social media.
Image: Screenshot from social media.
Action was swift as the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi issued a letter to hotel establishments, which details: “Greetings, Pursuant to Law No. 8 of 2018 establishing the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) with a mandate to develop the tourism industry in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
“In light of the current circumstances and given that some guests have reached their checkout 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.
“The cost of the extended stay will be covered by DCT Abu Dhabi.”
A widely shared and praiseworthy post, which has achieved viral status globally, highlights how effectively the UAE managed the crisis.
It reads: “They came for vacation. Then airspace closed and flights were cancelled. Instead of chaos, the UAE told every hotel: don't check them out. We're paying.
“Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism sent a directive to every hotel in the emirate: extend stays for guests who can't leave and send us the invoice. Dubai issued a parallel order hours later. The reason? Airspace closures and mass flight cancellations across the Gulf left over 20,000 passengers stranded.
“The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the state is covering all accommodation and meal costs for affected travelers. Private companies joined in too – holiday rental firms in Dubai opened apartments for free, and within hours, over 250 hosts followed.
“No panic pricing. No airport floors. No ‘figure it out yourself’ Just a government picking up the tab until every stranded tourist can go home. That's how you handle a crisis.”
Meanwhile, one tourist, who goes by the handle of @rochellerao, provided a Dubai update: “We are totally blown away by the way the UAE government has handled the whole situation. There has been no panic or chaos. We have been overwhelmed by the love and help from all our friends in Dubai, as well as the staff at our hotel & the general public here.
“We are fine and still trying to enjoy this beautiful city as much as we can. The best thing we can do (to) the fight warmongers & fear-mongers is to LIVE EACH DAY TO THE MAXIMUM!
“We are praying for everyone in this region and trust God that he will bring about resolution and peace!
Keep us in your prayers. We will keep you all updated!
“Thank you for all the love, prayers and well wishes so far insta fam, we feel so blessed & loved!”
Just to provide context of the airport madness, one traveller, @dallas_dog_walker, posted to TikTok from Hamad International Airport (DOH), which is located in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, on Saturday.
She said, “This is the line to get a voucher for a hotel for one night. I was in this line for about 30 minutes and I gave up because the people at the front of the line, up there, are waiting for three hours just for a hotel voucher. This is not a rebooking… this is just for a hotel voucher.
“And 40 minutes, I only made it there. And this is just the business line. The other line is like way longer… just to get a voucher for a hotel. That’s it, no rebooking, no nothing. Then you have to get a visa if you don’t have one. Thankfully, I have one. Then you have to get your luggage. It’s a nightmare.”
On Monday, March 2, operations remained suspended until further notice.
As of Saturday, February 28, this is how the travel plans plummeted into chaos in the different regions, according to reports
In South Africa, this development affected the following airports, according to Airports Company South Africa (ACSA).
Passengers are strongly advised to contact their airlines or relevant embassies directly for the latest flight schedules and status updates.