British nationals in Dubai have been told to brace for major disruption after Iranian airspace was shut and flights across the Gulf were grounded amid a rapid military escalation. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirmed on Saturday that Iranian airspace is now closed, prompting widespread alarm over the knock-on effects for global transit hubs including Dubai and Doha.
With international services already axed, officials fear hundreds of thousands of Britons could become stranded in the Gulf if the crisis persists. The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates. A spokesperson for the FCDO said: “Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in the UAE should immediately shelter in place.” While the government still advises against all travel to Iran, it warned that the UK diplomatic presence there is “extremely limited,” making consular assistance nearly impossible.
Dubai and Doha serve as the primary stopovers for British travellers heading to Asia, Australia, and Africa. For those currently in the UAE, the FCDO has issued a stark “shelter in place” order. Officials warned: “Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”
Travellers are being told to find the nearest safe building or designated shelter, noting that an interior stairwell or a room with few external walls may provide additional protection.
British citizens are being urged to take sensible precautions, including monitoring local and international media and avoiding areas around security or military facilities. FCDO guidance suggests that those affected should keep departure plans under constant review and ensure travel documents are up to date. Crucially, the government warned that travelling against official advice could invalidate travel insurance policies.
According to Steve Swinford, the Political Editor of The Times, the situation has reached a critical point within Whitehall. Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Mr Swinford said: “There is mounting concern in government that hundreds of thousands of Britons could potentially become stranded in the Gulf because of the closure of airspace if the conflict becomes prolonged.”
He noted that the demographic in the region is uniquely complex, adding: “There are significant numbers of Britons in the region, especially because Doha and Dubai are transit airports. We’re talking tourists, permanent residents, and dual nationals.”
There are approximately 240,000 to 250,000 British expats living in the UAE, mostly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai was rocked by attacks overnight, with the luxury hotel of Burj Al Arab among those hit.
The sheer volume of people involved has forced the government to begin high-level preparations. Mr Swinford confirmed: “Ministers are already asking the question—if it comes to it—how do we get them back home? Contingency planning is well underway in Whitehall.”
The immediate priority for the FCDO is gathering accurate data on the whereabouts of UK citizens. Mr Swinford explained: “The first step is the government asking people to register their presence. It knows that hundreds of thousands of people have taken flights recently headed for places like Doha and Dubai. It does not know where they are now.”
This data collection is a prerequisite for any physical rescue operation. Mr Swinford said: “This is the first step before—should it come to it—potential attempts for the mass evacuation of Britons from the region. I imagine it would likely be coordinated with the EU and other allies.” The government is currently asking people to declare whether they are in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Israel, or the Palestinian territories.
Express.co.uk has contacted the FCDO for further comment.