Who Can Help If You Are Stranded in the UAE Due to Travel Disruptions? (Quick Practical Guide)

Stranded in the UAE with a cancelled or disrupted flight? This guide covers who to contact, in what order, and how to reach them.

Work through it from the top — start with your airline.

First things first: your immediate checklist

Before contacting anyone, gather these on your phone so you are ready for every conversation that follows. You will be asked for some combination of them by almost everyone you speak to.

• Your passport (take a photo of the personal details page)
• Your booking confirmation or e-ticket (check your email for the airline’s confirmation)
• Your visa details or entry stamp (photograph it now if you have not)
• Proof of the disruption — a screenshot of the cancellation notice, the airline’s SMS, or the departures board showing your flight status
• Your travel insurance policy number and the insurer’s 24-hour hotline, if you have one
• A working local phone number where people can reach you

Your airline: contact them first

The airline is responsible for rebooking you, and in many cases for providing meals, hotel accommodation, and phone calls while you wait. They should be your first call.

UAE-based carriers are operating largely to schedule, but some international airlines have suspended UAE routes. Check our UAE airspace and flight status article for live updates before doing anything else.

• Emirates: operating a full schedule and continuing to rebuild its network. For rebooking and refunds, see our Emirates flight cancellation guide.
• Etihad: operating an expanded summer schedule from Abu Dhabi. See our Etihad flight cancellation guide.
• flydubai: operating from Dubai on a busier-than-usual summer schedule. See our flydubai flight cancellation guide.
• Air Arabia: serving destinations from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah — check directly for your route.

Several international carriers have suspended or reduced their UAE routes during the current escalation. For the latest, see our tracker on when international airlines will return to Dubai.

What to ask your airline for

• Rebooking on the next available flight (ask about partner or alliance airlines too)
• A meal voucher if the wait is more than a few hours
• Hotel accommodation if you are stranded overnight — airlines may provide this at their discretion, as the UAE has no EU 261-style statutory passenger-rights framework
• Written confirmation of the cancellation or delay — you will need this for insurance claims and potentially for immigration

How to reach them

• At the airport: go to your airline’s transfer desk or customer service counter, not the check-in counter. If queues are long, call the airline at the same time.
• By phone: call the number on your boarding pass or booking confirmation email.
• By app: Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia all allow rebooking through their mobile apps. Check the app before joining a physical queue.

The airport: on-the-ground help when airline counters fail

Airport information desks operate independently of individual airlines. They can help you find alternative transport, locate services inside the terminal, and connect you with the right people.

UAE airports are open and running normally, with the usual summer peak crowds. Delays remain possible if the security situation changes, so build in extra time.

• Dubai International (DXB): information desks in every terminal. For live operational status, see our Dubai airport status page.
• Zayed International, Abu Dhabi (AUH): the customer service center can assist with ground transport and connect you to airline representatives.
• Sharjah International (SHJ): has an information desk in the main terminal building.
• Al Maktoum International (DWC): located further from Dubai city. For live status, see our Al Maktoum airport status page.

If you are stranded overnight and the airline has not provided a hotel, ask the airport information desk about nearby hotels with shuttle services. Many airport-adjacent hotels offer distressed-traveler rates — you can also compare options for hotels in Dubai.

UAE government support for stranded travelers

During earlier escalations, the UAE covered hosting and accommodation costs for some stranded passengers through the GCAA, and the ICP facilitated emergency visas at airports. In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Culture and Tourism instructed hotels to extend guest stays at government expense.

Whether any such arrangements apply during the current escalation can change quickly. If you remain stranded, ask your airline, the airport information desk, or your embassy what support is available for your situation.

Immigration: if your visa has expired

Your visa does not automatically extend because your flight was canceled. Standard overstay fines of AED 50 per day (approximately US $13.60) apply. The most recent grace period for travellers stranded by the disruptions ran until 9 July 2026 and was not extended, so normal enforcement has resumed.

If you are stranded again by the current escalation, you may still be able to extend your stay. Most tourist visas can be extended by 30 days from inside the UAE, and you can ask GDRFA or the ICP whether any fine relief applies to your case. Bring documentary proof of your cancelled flight.

• Dubai-issued visas: contact the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai), or visit an Amer service center in person.
• Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates: contact the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) through their website or app.

You will need your passport, current visa details, written proof of the flight disruption, proof of accommodation, a local phone number, and your insurance document (if required by your visa type). For a full breakdown across the GCC, see our visa overstay and extension guide.

Your embassy or consulate: register now

Your embassy can help with emergency travel documents, register you during a crisis, and advise on your nationality’s visa situation. If your government arranges repatriation, registered citizens are contacted first — so register before you need help.

During the current escalation, some embassies have paused routine appointments while still handling emergencies. Contact yours directly for the latest on services. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains a directory of all foreign missions in the UAE; most are in Abu Dhabi, with many countries also operating consulates in Dubai.

If you cannot reach your embassy, call your country’s foreign affairs ministry directly — many operate 24-hour emergency hotlines for citizens abroad.

Your travel insurance provider

If you have travel insurance, call your provider’s 24-hour emergency line now — do not wait until you are home to file a claim. Keep every receipt and photograph it as you go, since insurers need itemized proof of expenses plus the airline’s written confirmation of the disruption.

Most policies cover expenses caused by trip disruption, including:

• Hotel accommodation while you wait for a new flight
• Meals and essential purchases
• Alternative transport if your original flight is canceled outright
• Phone calls related to the emergency

Emergency numbers in the UAE

These are for medical emergencies, crimes, or safety situations — not for flight disruptions.

• Police: 999
• Ambulance: 998
• Fire and Civil Defence: 997
• Search and Rescue: 995
• Coast Guard: 996

Useful emergency apps:

• Dubai: DCAS SOS — request an ambulance directly from your phone with GPS location.
• Abu Dhabi: AD999 — Abu Dhabi Police’s emergency app for ambulance, fire, and police requests.

Wego support

If you booked through Wego and need help with your booking, here is how to reach us. Travelers whose flights depart within the next 24 hours are prioritized.

• Emergency phone line: +20 22 127 9955 (temporary line — international call charges may apply)
• All other channels: visit our Contact Us page for live chat, email, and regional phone numbers
• FAQs on disruptions: our Support and FAQs page covers cancellations, refunds, and rebookings

For what Wego can and cannot do during a major disruption, read our essential guidance for stranded Wego users in the GCC. If you need to rebook outright, you can also compare flights to Dubai.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first if I’m stranded in Dubai during the renewed strikes?

Contact your airline before going anywhere. They handle rebooking and may cover meals or a hotel. Do not travel to the airport until your airline confirms your flight is operating.

Are UAE airports still open?

Yes. As of mid-July 2026, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah airports are open and operating normally despite the renewed escalation. The main disruption is from some international carriers that have suspended UAE routes, so check your specific flight.

Who pays for my hotel if my flight is cancelled?

It depends on the airline and your insurance. The UAE has no EU 261-style statutory passenger-rights law, so airlines provide hotels at their discretion; travel insurance often reimburses accommodation when the airline does not.

What happens if my visa expires while I’m stranded?

Your visa does not extend automatically. The grace period for travellers stranded earlier ended on 9 July 2026, so standard AED 50-per-day fines apply. With proof of a cancelled flight you can still apply to extend your stay via GDRFA Dubai or the ICP, and can ask whether any fine relief applies to your case.

Should I register with my embassy?

Yes, register now. Programs like STEP (US), FCDO presence registration (UK), and ROCA (Canada) let your government send alerts and prioritize you for any repatriation flights.

Sources

1. The National — Middle East flight status update (14 July 2026)
2. The National — UAE flight disruption minimal despite regional attacks (13 July 2026)
3. US Department of State — UAE Travel Advisory (Level 3)
4. US Embassy & Consulate in the UAE — Security alerts
5. UAE MoFA — Directory of foreign missions in the UAE
6. US Department of State — Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
7. UK FCDO — United Arab Emirates travel advice
8. Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi — Helpline numbers
9. Government of Canada — Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA)
10. Australia Smartraveller — United Arab Emirates
11. UAE ICP — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
12. UAE Government — Handling emergencies

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.