UK holidaymakers misinformed about Middle East travel

Emirates issues updates on cancelled flights following misleading reports in British press

UK holidaymakers considering trips to Dubai are being delivered widely differing reports by British news outlets regarding travel safety and the conflict in other Middle East countries.

While The Independent newspaper stated on Friday 4 October that "the Foreign Office does not warn against travel to the UAE following missile attacks in the Middle East" and that "the Foreign Office considers the UAE safe to travel to", the Mail Online published unsubstantiated claims of Brits preparing for a "mass exodus from the ex-pat paradise" on the same day. 

The Mail Online cited cancellations made by Emirates airline on flights from Dubai to the UK, Oman and Kuwait, which occurred during Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 October.

On the evening of Friday 4 October, the Dubai-based carrier updated customers regarding flights currently cancelled, which are on routes to Jordan, Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. 

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Those planning travel to and from Jordan, Iran, Iraq and Lebanon should be aware of the following changes, as outlined by Emirates on their website:

Jordan: Following an operational review, Emirates have resumed services to Amman from 6 October 2024.

Iraq and Iran: Emirates’ flights to and from Iraq (Basra and Baghdad) and Iran (Tehran) remain cancelled up to and including 7 October 2024. Customers transiting through Dubai with final destinations in Iraq and Iran will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until 8 October 2024. 

Lebanon: Emirates’ flights to and from Beirut remain cancelled up to and including 15 October 2024. Customers transiting through Dubai with final destination Beirut will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice. 

Impacted customers can contact their booking agents for alternative travel options or contact Emirates if they have booked directly. Emirates also asked that customers visit their Manage Your Booking page to ensure their contact details are correct in order to receive updates.

An Emirates spokeperson said: "We continue to closely monitor the situation in the region and are in contact with the relevant authorities regarding developments."

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