Is it safe to travel to Dubai for a holiday?

Flooding at Dubai Airport has caused flight delays and cancellations, with some airlines and the airport adding to the confusion by issuing conflicting advice.

In addition to the extreme weather, other travellers are nervous about flying to Dubai because of missile attacks between Iran and Israel, and the potential for further military action in parts of the Middle East.

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Will my flight be cancelled because of floods in Dubai?

More than a year of rain fell in Dubai on 16 April, which has caused significant disruption to Dubai Airport. Flooding temporarily closed the runway, as well as some roads leading to the airport. 1,200 flights were cancelled.

The airport is only partly operating and there is still significant disruption including delays and cancellations. On April 19 and 20 the airport said outbound departures are being prioritised. That means many inbound flights are being cancelled, especially short-haul and regional routes

Airport operations are likely to return to normal over the next 48 hours, although there will be knock-on delays due to aircraft being off timetable.

Is Emirates cancelling flights from Dubai Airport?

Emirates is by far the biggest carrier at Dubai Airport. It has repeatedly cancelled large numbers of both inbound and outbound flights, while stated deadlines for normal operations have been missed. 

All flights connecting through Dubai will be cancelled on April 19 until 23:59 GMT. Departures from Dubai are operating, but with significant delays and some cancellations. 

Parts of the airport are damaged and the airline has asked all customers (apart from those flying to the USA) to check in online or in town. You can check in remotely at Emirates City Check‑in and Travel Store ICD Brookfield Place in DIFC and City Check‑in Ajman. If you are checking in at the airport, expect very long queues.

All Emirates flights between Dubai and London, in both directions, on 18 April were delayed- the length of the delays varied from one to six hours.

If your flight is not due to depart in the next 48 hours, the best advice is to wait, as operations will likely return to normal and Emirates phone lines are currently very busy.

What are my rights if my Dubai flight is cancelled or delayed?

It depends on who you booked your flight with. If you booked with an EU or UK carrier, such as British Airways or Wizz Air, the airline is legally required to offer you the choice of a refund or rerouting if your flight is cancelled or delayed by over five hours. Your right to rerouting includes the right to be flown on other airlines if they can get you to your destination faster than the carrier you booked with, although that is unlikely to be possible in this instance.

The airline is also legally required to look after you, which includes food and drink and, if necessary, an overnight hotel stay. You should first approach the airline customer service desk or contact them on the phone to ask for a hotel booking, but if the airline won’t book a hotel you can do so yourself and can claim the money back later on. The hotel should be midrange rather than luxury.

Read about your rights under the denied boarding regulations 

Can I claim compensation for my flight?

You can’t claim compensation from the airline, as floods are an extraordinary circumstance.

However, airlines cannot use this disruption as an excuse for delays several days later. If, in the coming days, other airlines are operating as normally to and from Dubai, and yours is not - it’s likely you will be entitled to claim compensation.

What about delays with Emirates and other non-EU and UK airlines?

All the rules above apply to Emirates and all airlines if you are departing from a UK or EU airport to Dubai but not on the return, inbound leg. So if your Emirates flight from Dubai to London is delayed, you’ll be bound by Dubai’s rules, not EU and UK rules on denied boarding. 

Can I claim compensation for my Dubai holiday or hotel?

There are rules protecting package holidays. If your Dubai holiday is cancelled, which is unlikely, you will be due a full refund under the package holiday regulations.

More likely is that your holiday is delayed by a day or two, until the airport is operating again. It depends on the length of the delay, but it’s likely you should be allowed to choose between a full refund, a partial refund (for the days lost) or rebooking.

If you booked your holiday and hotel separately, you unfortunately won’t be covered and are bound by the terms and conditions of the hotel. Contact the hotel and ask for a rebooking.

Read about your rights under the package travel regulations 

Can I claim on travel insurance?

If your flight or holiday is disrupted, you should be able to make a claim on your travel insurance for those costs not covered by the airline or package holiday operator.

Coverage will vary a great deal between different providers and policies, and you should check the excess due before you make a claim.

Best travel insurance policies

Can I cancel my Dubai flight or holiday because of military action in Iran and Israel?

Dubai is the most popular tourist destination in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - but it sits just across the Persian Gulf from Iran. This proximity - as well as temporary airspace closures and some airlines redirecting their flights around Iran, has caused tourists to question whether it’s safe to travel.

There is no single answer as to whether Dubai is safe to travel to, but in regard to your consumer rights the crucial advice is from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

What are airlines doing about the missle attacks?

There is some disruption. Flights to Israel and Iran have been temporarily suspended by some airlines, although these suspensions are usually only for a day or two.

Some airlines, including British Airways, are avoiding Iranian airspace, which can make flights to some destinations longer than scheduled.  Emirates, Flydubai, Turkish Air, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Belavia are among the carriers that are still using Iranian airspace for flights.  

What does the FCDO say about travel to Dubai?

While the FCDO changed its advice back in March to state that the threat level is high, it has not advised against travel to the UAE since the military attack. In short, that means the FCDO still considers Dubai safe. 

Unless the FCDO issues a warning advising against travel, package holidays and flights will continue to operate as normal. 

Can I get my money back if I want to cancel my Dubai holiday?

No, not unless the FCDO issues a travel warning. Most, but not all, holiday companies will cancel package holidays when the FCDO issues a warning.  Currently, if you cancel your holiday, you’ll likely lose the full cost of your holiday. 

Can I claim on travel insurance?

Again, probably not. Travel insurers won’t pay out until there is an FCDO warning against travel. There will be some expensive insurance policies that cover what is known as disinclination to travel. If you are considering cancelling, contact your insurer first to ensure you know what is and isn’t covered.