Dubai’s super rich are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to escape the city as escalating s in the Middle East create fears of a prolonged regional war. The desert hub, long renowned for luxury, safety, and business opportunities, now faces disruption as Iranian missiles target the UAE, prompting evacuations and flight cancellations.
Evrim, a Turkish mother of two, told AFP she and her family were paying $200,000 to leave Dubai via Oman for Geneva after missile debris struck a luxury hotel near their home on Palm Jumeirah. They drove six hours through the desert to reach Oman’s capital, Muscat, amid a tense and anxious evacuation.
Thousands of commercial flights have been delayed or canceled, marking the biggest disruption to global air transport since the Covid pandemic. More than 800 drones and 200 missiles have targeted UAE facilities since the weekend, ing three people and damaging airports and oil infrastructure.
Several governments, including Britain and Germany, are sending planes to Oman to evacuate their nationals, but many wealthy residents are arranging private flights independently. Glenn Phillips of Air Charter Service said demand for evacuation flights is spiking, with Muscat being the most popular route despite long border delays.
Operations coordinator Mike D’Souza noted that demand for private cars to exit the UAE has surged, with some travelers heading through Saudi Arabia, where airports remain open but visas can be challenging to obtain.
For those with limited means, leaving Dubai is far more difficult. One British expat described the struggle to secure a commercial flight for himself, his pregnant wife, and their three-year-old son, eventually flying via Hyderabad to Thailand. Despite the upheaval, he said his family intends to return to Dubai once the crisis subsides.
Dubai, home to the world’s tallest building, indoor ski slopes, luxury hotels, and massive malls, now faces its greatest challenge to its reputation as a safe and glamorous hub in a volatile region.
Leave a comment