As regional airspace closures continue due to the ongoing Iran–US–Israel conflict, thousands of travellers remain stranded in the UAE, while residents navigate an atmosphere of uncertainty.Although authorities have extended support to both civilians and visitors, concern remains high among families in India with loved ones living in or travelling across the Gulf. Amid the geopolitical tensions, UAE political analyst Ahmed Sharif Al Ameri sought to reassure Indians about the safety and stability of the country.
Taking to X, he highlighted the deep presence of the Indian community in the UAE. “Four million Indians wake up every day in the UAE and go to work, open their shops, teach in classrooms, build companies, treat patients, and raise families. Life is moving. Schools are open. Offices are running. Flights are landing. The country is steady,” he wrote.Reflecting on the strong ties between India and the UAE, he described the relationship as one shaped through decades of shared effort and success. He urged families watching from India to remain reassured about their loved ones’ safety.“India and the UAE are connected through decades of shared effort and shared success. That connection is visible in every neighbourhood and every industry. To the families watching from India: your loved ones are in a country that plans carefully, acts decisively, and protects responsibly,” he continued. “This is a place of stability. This is a place of trust. This is home for millions and it remains secure,” he concluded.
Support for stranded travellers
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has stepped in to assist thousands of passengers affected by flight disruptions. Support measures include accommodation, meals, and rebooking costs for travellers stranded due to the airspace shutdown.Recently, an Indian influencer who was stuck at the Abu Dhabi International Airport with his family shared that they were provided with free food and hotel vouchers as their flights had been cancelled. The content creator who goes by the pseudonym ‘The iPad Info’ added that his family was taken to the hotel in a bus and appreciated the staff for being “very supportive”, while calling the country “the most supportive” he had ever been in.
Families back home remain worried
Many stranded travellers told Khaleej Times that their families in India were deeply concerned. Zak, a UAE resident returning from India, described the moment he learned of his cancelled flight.“I was already at the airport preparing to travel to Dubai when we received a message that the flight had been cancelled,” he said.“The airline said operations were affected due to the regional situation. My family became worried after seeing news about the conflict,” he added.Despite the disruption, India remains one of the UAE’s most significant travel links, and the government’s response to the crisis has drawn praise from residents and travellers alike.
