The recent airspace closures and massive flight cancellations across the Middle East have thrown tens of thousands of travel plans into chaos. But if you are currently stuck in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there is a massive silver lining.

Unlike many other destinations where stranded tourists are left sleeping on airport floors, the UAE government and local authorities have stepped up in an unprecedented way. From the government fully covering hotel costs to private locals opening their doors, here is everything you need to know about securing free accommodation and support if you are stranded in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

Abu Dhabi: The Government is Paying for Your Room

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has taken a proactive approach to protect tourists, issuing an official directive to all hotel general managers across the emirate.

• The Rule: If your scheduled check-out date has arrived but your flight has been canceled due to the airspace closures, the hotel must extend your stay.
• Who Pays? You don’t pay a dime. DCT Abu Dhabi has officially confirmed that the financial burden falls on the government, not the guests or the hotels. Hotels have been instructed to send all invoices for these extended stays directly to the government for reimbursement.

Dubai: Stay Extensions and Incredible Local Hospitality

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has issued a parallel order, demanding that hotels prioritize guest welfare during this highly stressful time.

• Flexible Extensions: Dubai hotels have been instructed to allow affected guests to extend their stays under the same terms as their original bookings. Furthermore, authorities stressed that guests must not be forced to vacate their rooms if they cannot immediately pay for the extension.
• The Private Sector Steps Up: The local community has shown incredible hospitality. For example, AraBnB, a Dubai-based luxury holiday home company, opened its vacant apartments and villas to stranded travelers completely free of charge, prioritizing families with small children and the elderly. This gesture has triggered a ripple effect, inspiring a network of around 250 other holiday home super-hosts in Dubai to do the exact same thing.

Nationwide UAE Support: Meals, Hotels, and Rebooking

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that the state has activated an emergency aviation support plan to bear all hosting and accommodation costs for affected passengers. So far, they have assisted over 20,000 stranded travelers.

• Airport Assistance: If you are stuck at the terminals in Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), or Sharjah, authorities and national carriers are providing temporary hotel accommodations, free meals, and refreshments while you wait.
• Free Rebooking & Refunds: Major UAE carriers—including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia—have paused or scaled back operations but are offering full refunds or free rebooking options for affected passengers.

Survival Guide: What You Must Do Now

If you or someone you know is currently stranded in the UAE, follow these steps immediately:

1. Do NOT cancel your flight yourself! This is the most crucial piece of advice. If you proactively cancel your ticket before the airline officially announces the cancellation of your specific flight, you will likely lose your right to a full refund, a free rebooking, and the government-mandated free accommodation. Let the airline make the first move.
2. Talk to your hotel reception. If you are already checked into an Abu Dhabi or Dubai hotel, go to the front desk. Mention the official DCT or DET directives and ask them to extend your room.
3. Save every single receipt. If you do end up paying out-of-pocket for meals, transit, or a temporary room, keep your receipts. Both airline policies and standard travel insurance will generally reimburse these emergency expenses once the dust settles.