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Travelers stranded in Dubai must find their way home after the airport closed due to the joint US-Israeli military offensive, Operation Epic Fury.
Dubai’s two main hubs, Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC), reopened on March 2 with limited operations, according to The Economic times. But that hasn’t stopped travelers with means from finding other ways to escape. Some wealthy travelers have resorted to paying large sums for private charter flights to escape the escalating situation.
“There is an increasingly limited number of aircraft willing and able to fly to and from the area, with many local aircraft that would normally be used for flights out of the region stuck at closed airports,” the spokesperson said.
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Travelers in the Middle East remain stranded after Israel and the US attacked Iran. (Shbaro/Anadolu via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The limited number of available planes has driven up prices, but some passengers are trying to reduce costs by booking shorter flights outside the region and then taking commercial planes elsewhere.
“Many passengers take shorter flights to places outside the region and then take scheduled connections for the remainder of their journey to reduce the full cost of travel,” the spokesperson said, noting that travelers have largely flown to Europe or Istanbul before continuing on to their final destination.
The cost of light aircraft flights from Muscat, Oman, to Istanbul, Turkey, reportedly sells for more than $93,000, according to Forbesstating that the price was about double the going rate. Additionally, Forbes reported that heavy aircraft travel on the same route can cost up to $140,000.
Some outlets have reported higher prices, with Semafor reporting that Ameerh Naran, CEO of private jet brokerage Vimana Private, said costs for private jets from Riyadh to Europe could be as high as $350,000.
Several flights were canceled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East following the launch of Operation Epic Fury by the US and Israel. (Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu via Getty Images/Getty Images)
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Airports in Oman and Saudi Arabia have reportedly become travel hubs for ultra-wealthy travelers looking to depart. according to Semafor. The outlet, citing people familiar with the matter, said private security companies have booked a fleet of SUVs to take people on the 10-hour drive from Dubai to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where they can then take private flights out of the region. Semafor reported that those evacuating the region are a mix of senior executives at global financial companies and wealthy travelers in the region for business or leisure.
Travelers in the Middle East are trying to flee the region. (Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu via Getty Images/Getty Images)
On Saturday, the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has since launched retaliatory attacks against countries in the region that promote U.S. interests. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said US citizens are advised to leave Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar. Saudi ArabiaSyria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. However, not all of them have a way out.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem said Tuesday that it is “not in a position at this time to evacuate Americans or directly assist Americans in their departure from Israel.”
Other U.S. embassies in the region have instructed Americans needing assistance arranging departure through commercial means to contact the State Department 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444 from abroad or +1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada.
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Fox Business’ Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
