By dubailife 
**Lebanese Expats in Dubai Struggle to Bring Families to Safety Amid Escalating Israel-Hezbollah Conflict**
As the Israel-Hezbollah conflict intensifies, Lebanese expats living in Dubai and across the UAE are desperately seeking ways to evacuate their families from Lebanon. The situation is becoming increasingly dire, with flights out of Beirut either scarce or prohibitively expensive, adding to the emotional toll on these residents.
Several expats described the situation as “highly volatile” as they face skyrocketing ticket prices. One-way flights from Beirut to Dubai, for instance, have surged to more than AED 42,000, Khaleej Times has reported.
Hamed, a Lebanese expat residing in Dubai, is one such individual trying to bring his parents to safety. *“Traveling by land is riskier,”* he shared, as his elderly parents, both in their mid-60s, remain stuck in Beirut. *“Our only way out of Lebanon by land is through the Syrian border, but it’s unsafe. On Tuesday, I read that three civilians were killed following Israeli airstrikes in Damascus.”*
Hamed has been exploring all possible avenues to secure a safe exit for his family. However, flights are either fully booked or extremely expensive. *“The cheapest ticket I found online was AED 26,890 for a one-way flight from Beirut to Amman. I need six tickets to fly out my parents, my brother, his wife, and their two kids. That would cost me over AED 160,000,”* he explained.
**Flight Options Remain Limited for Lebanese Trying to Reach Dubai**
Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport remains operational, but with limited flights. Currently, Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon’s national carrier, is one of the few airlines running commercial flights. However, the options are minimal, and ticket prices for a journey to Dubai have escalated. Khaleej Times reported some multi-leg flights, involving a stopover in Jordan, costing as much as AED 42,435 for a one-way ticket.
With direct flights between Lebanon and the UAE suspended, Lebanese expats are facing significant obstacles. Air Arabia, a Sharjah-based carrier, has announced the indefinite suspension of its Beirut flights from both Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, citing safety concerns. Dubai-based Emirates and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways have also suspended services to Beirut until at least October 8, while Flydubai flights remain canceled until October 7.
Moreover, passengers transiting through Dubai or Abu Dhabi with final destinations in Beirut will not be allowed to travel, as per updated airline guidelines.
**A Surge in Enquiries for Travel Routes to Dubai**
Travel agents in Dubai have reported a sharp increase in inquiries from Lebanese residents trying to find alternative routes to reach the UAE. *“Many people are asking about traveling to Dubai from Beirut. Some are ready to cross into neighboring countries by land and then fly to the UAE,”* said Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels. He added that one current option involves crossing the Syrian border and flying out of Damascus with Cham Wings Airlines, a private Syrian carrier.
Shamsheed CV, Senior Consultant for Outbound Travel at Wisefox Tourism, noted that many Lebanese are opting for flights to Amman, Jordan, as a temporary solution before continuing their journey to the UAE. However, he emphasized that only those with valid UAE tourist or residency visas can enter Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah.
**Praying for Safety Amid Flight Suspensions**
While some Lebanese expats are actively searching for ways to bring their families to Dubai, others are advising their relatives to remain in Lebanon until the situation stabilizes. Akmal B., a 34-year-old Lebanese expat living in Abu Dhabi, shared his deep concern about his parents’ safety. *“Flying my parents out now feels very risky with the conflict intensifying,”* he explained. *“As their only son, I feel helpless. I want to be with them, but all I can do is pray for their safety.”*
Akmal’s parents have relocated to northern Lebanon in search of a safer environment. *“I fear for their safety every day,”* he added. *“Even though the airport is open, the process of leaving Lebanon feels fraught with danger. It’s tough knowing that they’re struggling to find safe routes out of the country.”*
For many Lebanese expats in Dubai and the wider UAE, the ongoing conflict has created a profound sense of uncertainty and fear, as they await news and pray for the safety of their loved ones back home.
Source : Khaleejtimes