On 3 March 2026 at 3:30 PM UAE Time, the Emirati Ministry of Interior called for an emergency press conference to highlight different aspects of the country’s readiness to handle the ongoing Middle East crisis. Iranian missile strikes continue to affect daily lives in different parts of the region, though the UAE has been handling the circumstances really securely and keeping its locals and stranded tourists safe.
The UAE’s Minister of Economy & Tourism, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, also underscored different sides of the country’s economy and tourism as the situation continues to remain tense. Starting from urging people not to engage in impulse buying to highlighting the establishment of emergency air routes and possible gradual reopening of the UAE’s airspace in the near future, the minister brought into focus a range of key details, meant for both residents and tourists.
1. UAE Maintaining Stable Prices and Sufficient Stockpiles
During the press conference, the Emirati Minister of Economy and Tourism noted that the UAE has been handling different pressures of crises skillfully. Food security is being prioritised. Currently, there are no signs of supply chain hiccups. There is a steady stream of essential goods maintained at different stores in the UAE.
In the meantime, many experts are also crunching the numbers at shopping malls in the UAE to understand the stockpile situation better. This is happening on a regular basis to ensure all locals and stranded tourists do not face any sorts of difficulties in accessing essential goods.
Prices are also being kept stable and consumer complaints are being taken seriously. Minister Touq Al Marri urged people in the UAE to adopt smart consumer habits and to buy things that are really necessary. Impulse buys should be minimised.
2. UAE Covering Hotel Stays & Meal Expenses for Stranded Tourists
The UAE has already set the bar really high in tourism. Precision is the key to addressing such crises and the country is doing just that. There are more than 1260 hotels in the UAE currently, in addition to over 40,000 companies supporting the bustling industry from all sides.
Minister Touq Al Marri assured all visitors presently stranded in the UAE that they are in good hands and that their experience is going to be safe, secure and seamless. The UAE continues to plan ahead, simultaneously upholding the top-notch standards.
Simultaneously, the UAE has also pledged to take care of the accommodation and meal expenses of all tourists stuck in the country because of flight delays. Essential services are also being ensured for the guests.
3. Special Flights Taking Off from UAE Airports; Airspace to Open Up Gradually
Gradual reopening of the UAE’s airspace is being aimed for. In the meantime, special air routes are being set up to manage emergencies. Simultaneously, regional emergency plans are also being rolled out to tackle the situation better. These plans are meant to handle such circumstances and ensure the best possible conditions for locals and tourists alike.
Minister Touq Al Marri highlighted in his speech during the press conference that the UAE can handle up to 48 flights every hour, since the emergency routes are in place. You can definitely expect a potential ramping up of the number of flights over time.
Some limited flight operations are already happening at the moment to bring some citizens and residents back home smoothly. In the upcoming phase, 80 scheduled flights a day are expected to ramp up passenger numbers gradually. He further urged all stranded tourists not to head off to airports until the airlines inform them, in order to maintain smooth operations.
4. Getting Information from Trusted Sources Only
In the end, Minister Touq Al Marri emphasized the need to get information only from trusted sources, such as the Ministry of Interior, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the UAE Media Office and more. For all kinds of assistance, locals and tourists can contact the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism at 800 1222.
The ongoing Middle East crisis has brought scores of countries in different parts of the globe into a tense situation, including Iran, Israel, the US, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon and the UAE. It is immensely important to remain vigilant and make sure to abide by all official advisories. For all possible assistance, all stranded tourists in the UAE can contact public officials in the country or their home country’s Embassy or Consulate General.
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