Evacuating families from Dubai now costs up to $250,000 amid ongoing conflict

DUBAI: Tens of thousands of residents, employees, and holidaymakers are leaving Dubai as the regional conflict enters its fifth day, with evacuation costs for private transport and chartered flights surging, according to the Financial times.

Companies are paying up to $250,000 to move a family of four via private jet, with charter prices roughly doubling since the weekend. Taxi and private minibus fares to Muscat in Oman or Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, popular exit routes, have climbed to several thousand dollars from a few hundred previously.

Insurance executives said commercial travel options remain limited despite U.S. evacuation advisories, forcing many to rely on expensive private alternatives. “The big problem is few commercial means right now,” one official noted.

Travel agencies report growing numbers of families leaving with pets, as commercial airlines are unable to transport animals safely. Charter flights have faced operational hurdles, including fuel logistics, adding to the strain on evacuees.

Limited commercial flights have resumed, with Emirates, Etihad, and Flydubai operating some routes, while Qatar Airways remains grounded. Governments including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy are running repatriation flights. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed over 1,000 British nationals returned on commercial flights from the UAE on Tuesday, with additional charter services from Muscat planned.

Virgin Atlantic has restarted some scheduled flights to Dubai and Riyadh, while other airlines await safer conditions, following missile attacks that caused Middle Eastern flights to be turned away. Low-cost carrier Wizz Air reported conflict-related costs of €50 million, pushing it toward an annual loss.

Oman has emerged as a key transit hub, with border guards waiving visa requirements and Oman Air advising passengers to allow 12 hours for processing due to high traffic and long queues.