UK Foreign Office issues new Dubai and UAE travel advice

The war, now in its seventh week, has jolted stock markets and rattled the global economy, as shipping through Iranian ports has been cut off and air strikes have torn through military and civilian infrastructure across the region.

When the conflict first began, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) launched a ‘register your interest in flights from UAE’ scheme to help get Brits back to the UK, who were located in the likes of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Dubai.

Since then, the FCDO has been constantly updating its UAE travel advice, to keep British nationals as safe as possible.

Is it safe to travel to Dubai and UAE right now? New UK Foreign Office advice

On Tuesday (April 14), the Foreign Office released its latest UAE travel guidance which warned “further attacks could occur at short notice” even though Iranian strikes “have decreased”.

However, it still advises against “all but essential” travel to UAE.

The FCDO shared on its foreign travel advice page: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.   

“The Iranian regime has publicly stated its intention to target locations associated with the United States and Israel.

“This includes US or Israeli-linked organisations, businesses, facilities and institutions.”

It urged: “Stay away from areas around security or military facilities, and US or Israeli-linked locations.

“Iranian strikes against civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports, have decreased.

“However, the risk of renewed strikes remains, and further attacks could occur at short notice.

“Follow the instructions of the local authorities and monitor local and international media for the latest information.”

Brits can sign up to the FCDO travel advice email alerts online to stay up to date with the latest regional escalation affecting UAE.

Emirates operating ‘reduced flight schedule’ to more than 100 locations

Following the Middle East ceasefire, the Dubai-based Emirates airline issued its own travel update to Brits last week, as it confirmed it is operating a “reduced flight schedule” to more than 100 destinations.

The latest announcement from the airline came after Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary warned UK travellers to book their summer holidays “as quickly as you can” to avoid rising costs, due the recent war between the US and Iran.

In a statement on Friday (April 10) Emirates said: “Following the partial reopening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule.

“You can check our latest flight schedules for upcoming flights and book seats to travel.

“We continue to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly.

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“We would like to thank you for your understanding and patience.

“The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority and will not be compromised.”

Are you travelling to Dubai soon or has your flight been cancelled? Let us know in the comments below.