The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has activated emergency aviation support plans to cover all accommodation, meal, and rebooking costs for more than 20,200 passengers stranded due to flight disruptions caused by the Iran–US–Israel war, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced.
Flights were rescheduled or delayed at major hubs including Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, and Sharjah International Airport following temporary airspace closures and safety precautions. The UAE government said the initiative aims to protect travellers from undue hardship and ensure passenger welfare during the crisis.
Under the plan, the UAE is covering hosting and accommodation expenses for affected passengers, arranging temporary hotel stays, meals, and refreshments. National carriers and airport authorities are facilitating rebooking procedures and handling regulatory formalities with coordinated logistics at airport terminals. Transit passengers are also being accommodated and transported to ensure their safety and well-being.
The Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi instructed hotels to extend stays for guests unable to travel due to cancellations, confirming that the state will cover these extended nights. “In light of current circumstances and given that some guests have reached their checkout date but are unable to travel for reasons beyond their control, we 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,” the circular read.
Authorities advised affected passengers to contact their airline directly for updates on rebooking or refund options, use official airport or airline apps for schedule information, and retain receipts for meals and accommodation if paid out of pocket, as reimbursement may be possible.
Private companies have also contributed by offering free accommodations. Arabnb Homes and Danube Properties, among others, opened apartments for stranded travellers, prioritizing families with children and elderly members.
The GCAA said UAE airports and national carriers are coordinating to manage operational traffic efficiently, including rerouting certain flights, accelerating rescheduling processes, and strengthening on-ground coordination within passenger terminals to prevent congestion. Passengers are urged to follow official updates through approved channels.