Around 20,000 Russian Tourists Stranded in UAE as Hotels Extend Stays, Airports Closed

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Around 20,000 Russian tourists are stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to flight cancellations or delays. According to preliminary estimates by the Association of Russian Tour Operators (ATOR), these are travelers whose paid vacation period has ended but cannot depart due to regional airspace restrictions.

Flight Cancellations

As of the morning of March 1, 61 flights between Russia and Middle Eastern countries have been canceled, according to the Russian Ministry of Transport. This includes 38 Russian airlines and 23 foreign carriers. Over 75% of cancellations affect flights to the UAE.

Tour operators are urging clients to stay in constant contact, promptly inform their location, and closely monitor notifications from airlines and receiving companies. These measures are necessary for coordinating accommodation, extending stays, and planning subsequent departures.

Market participants estimate that regional airports may remain closed until at least March 3. Tourists are strongly advised not to go to airports without official confirmation of their flight from airlines.

Evacuation flights are being considered, but the airspace remains closed for now.

Tourist Safety

UAE authorities have stated that the situation is under 24-hour monitoring, with priority given to the safety of residents and visitors. Emirati officials emphasize that measures are aimed at ensuring continuity of daily life and protecting society.

Preventive restrictions have been introduced in some emirates. On March 1, Dubai temporarily closed the Global Village amusement park. Water-based leisure activities are also restricted. Tourists and residents are advised not to approach or touch fragments of drones and not to take photos of them.

ATOR noted that there is no panic among organized tourists, who are in constant contact with tour guides and receiving companies.

There is no formal ban on internal movement within the country, but infrastructure is responding to the situation:

• Beaches in Dubai are closed,
• some amusement parks are temporarily closed,
• some shopping malls are operating with restrictions,
• road traffic across the country and in cities has noticeably decreased.

Accommodation During Waiting Period

Authorities in some emirates have taken on the financial burden of accommodating tourists. Some tour operators and airlines are also covering the costs.

The Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi has officially instructed hotels to extend the stay of guests who cannot leave the country due to flight cancellations. The department will directly compensate hotels for additional nights.

Similarly, in Ras Al Khaimah, free accommodation extensions of up to three nights are provided for tourists whose flights have been canceled.

However, no centralized compensation has been announced in Dubai and Sharjah. According to Arthur Muradian, Vice President of the Association of Russian Tour Operators, in these emirates, tour operators are handling accommodation extensions, while independent travelers must resolve the issue directly with hotels. In some cases, the cost of additional nights exceeds the original tour price.

According to market participants, the vast majority of tourists traveling on package tours have already been accommodated in hotels and provided with meals.