What to do if you have a holiday to Dubai booked
Guidance from the UK Foreign Office and the Civil Aviation Authority if you have a trip plannedAviation in the Middle East and across the globe has faced major disruption for a third day following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s response.Thousands of flights have been cancelled not just to and from the Middle East but across the globe due to airspace closures. Popular tourist destinations Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been impacted as regional tensions remain high.Dubai Airports announced on Monday, March 2 that a ‘small number of flights’ will operate from Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport on Monday, March 2 after both were temporarily closed. Meanwhile Emirates announced that it would operate a “limited number of flights” from Dubai on Monday.Click here to prioritise Manchester news in Google from the MENMeanwhile Etihad Airways says that commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended until 2pm UAE time on Wednesday March 4. It added that passengers should not travel to the airport unless they have been contacted directly Etihad Airways.Dubai is one of the world’s most popular cities. The airport is a major travel hub offering connections between Europe and Asia and Australia, while the city itself is a major holiday destination offering incredible beaches, luxury skyscraper hotels and huge shopping malls. More than one million Brits visit Dubai each year.If you have a holiday booked to Dubai in the coming weeks you may be wondering whether your trip will go ahead and what your rights are. Here’s what you need to know including the latest guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, as well as Emirates and the Civil Aviation Authority.What does the Foreign Office say about travel to Dubai?The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office currently advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai. Travelling against advice from the FCDO could invalidate your travel insurance. You should check your policy details with your travel insurance provider before cancelling your plans.British citizens who are already in the UAE are advised to shelter in place in case of possible missile attacks, remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from local authorities. The Foreign Office has also asked Brits in the UAE to register their presence for further details.Several locations in Dubai including the luxury five-star Fairmont The Palm Hotel and Dubai International Airport have been hit by debris from missiles over the weekend. On Saturday the concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage in an incident, Dubai Airports confirmed, with four staff sustaining injuries, although it was not confirmed if it was linked to retaliatory Iranian strikes.Fairmont The Palm Hotel, located on the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s man-made archipelago, was hit by a large explosion on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile authorities confirmed that debris from an intercepted drone caused a “minor fire” on the outer facade of the five-star Burj Al Arab hotel.What does the Civil Aviation Authority say?If you are due to fly directly from the UK to Dubai on any airline then you are covered by UK legislation. This means that airlines are required by law to get you to your destination or provide you with a refund if you no longer wish to travel if your flight is cancelled.If your flight has been cancelled you have the option for receiving a refund if you no longer wish to travel - you will need to confirm this option with your airline and they should provide you with a refund in seven days. If you still wish to travel your airline is required by law to get you to your destination and look after you while you wait by providing meals, refreshments and hotel accommodation proportionate to the length of time you are delayed.To get you to your destination your airline is required to find you an alternative flight (referred to as “re-routing”). Re-routing should be at the earliest opportunity or at a later date at your convenience, subject to availability.It is unlikely that you will be entitled to fixed sum compensation as disruptions directly caused by the situation in the Middle East are likely to be viewed as “extraordinary circumstances”.However, if you are booked on a package holiday, this means you will benefit from additional rights, particularly if this means that your original package cannot be provided. If flight delays or cancellations lead to your holiday being cancelled, or new arrangements are made that result in a significant change to your holiday, then your travel company must offer an alternative holiday if they can, or a refund for the full price of your package holiday.Package holidays bought by a tour operate with ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) protection are subject to a full refund follow the FCDO’s latest advice - travellers should contact their operator for more information.What does Emirates say?Emirates temporarily suspended flights to and from Dubai but on Monday afternoon it announced that it would begin operating a “limited number of flights commencing on the evening of March”. It said that these flights would prioritise customers with earlier bookings and those who have been rebooked to travel on these flights would be contacted directly by the airline. It added that all other flights “remain suspended until further notice.”If you are due to fly in the coming days it's best to wait for an update from your airline or travel agent and rebook your trip where possible or obtain a refund. If your flight is several months away it's worth holding out to see how the global situation changes.For more of today's top stories, click here.
