Dozens of Uzbek tourists stranded in Dubai after flight cancellations

According to several appeals sent to Kun.uz, dozens of Uzbek citizens are currently stuck in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Most of them traveled to the city as tourists but were unable to return home after their flights were canceled due to the tense situation triggered by recent Iranian aerial attacks.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and the Uzbek Consulate in Dubai told Kun.uz that citizens who were stranded during the first days of the emergency were returned to Uzbekistan on the earliest available flights.

As of March 6, however, officials say the situation in Dubai has stabilized. No new announcements about air attacks have been issued, and the city’s airspace has reopened. Airports are operating normally, and flights to Uzbekistan have resumed.

Under these conditions, officials say citizens who traveled to Dubai can return to Uzbekistan on suitable flights after coordinating with their tour operators.

The Uzbek Consulate in Dubai also released an official statement regarding the situation.

“At present, the situation in Dubai has relatively stabilized. As the airspace has reopened, flights on the Dubai – Tashkent route are gradually being operated by the airlines Uzbekistan Airways, Centrum Air, and Qanot Sharq. According to available information, flights operated by Uzbekistan Airways on March 5-6 and a Centrum Air flight on March 6 returned to Tashkent with empty seats,” the statement said.

The consulate added that Uzbek citizens who purchased tickets from Flydubai or Air Arabia but were unable to travel due to cancellations or delays can contact their tour operators or airlines and return to Uzbekistan on newly scheduled daily flights.

However, several stranded citizens who spoke to Kun.uz said many tourism agencies have stopped responding to their calls and messages.

According to them, some agencies that did respond referred to force majeure clauses in their service agreements. These clauses state that tour operators are not responsible for covering additional costs – including new flights – if an emergency situation occurs.

One of our readers said that she had traveled to Dubai with her mother and sister. Her sister had arranged the trip through a tourism agency, but the company said purchasing a new ticket was not their responsibility because the situation was considered force majeure.

Officials noted that tourism agencies should still take their clients’ needs and circumstances into account when addressing such situations.

Ticket prices surge amid travel disruptions

In the meantime, air ticket prices on the Dubai – Tashkent route have surged sharply. On March 7, ticket prices reached nearly UZS 17 million, according to information obtained by Kun.uz.

At the same time, several airlines have continued to operate flights on the route. The press service of Uzbekistan Airways told Kun.uz that flights previously canceled due to the situation are gradually being restored.

“The airline canceled its flight on the day of the first attacks and provided accommodation for 160 passengers. Passengers from each canceled flight are being transported on reorganized flights, and notifications are being sent to their email addresses and phone numbers,” the airline said.

“If passengers miss these notifications and fail to board the reorganized flights, it becomes their responsibility. Our subsequent flights are primarily being filled with passengers who were previously stranded,” the statement added.

Authorities focus on assisting stranded citizens

According to available information, the Ministry of Transport has issued recommendations and instructions to airlines on how to operate under the current circumstances and assist in bringing Uzbek citizens home.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that embassy and consular staff across the region are currently focused primarily on helping citizens return to Uzbekistan and ensuring their safety.