The United Arab Emirates will cover the food and accommodation costs of tens of thousands of travellers stranded in the country during the conflict in the Middle East, according to state media.
The UAE’s Department of Culture and Tourism sent a notice to hotels requesting them to extend the stay of passengers who are unable to travel “for reasons beyond their control,” reported The National.
“The cost of the extended stay will be covered by DCT Abu Dhabi,” the notice reportedly said. Other reports also said costs would be covered by the state.
Iran launched an unprecedented missile and drone barrage targeting the UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi and economic and tourist hub, Dubai, in response to US-Israeli strikes on Saturday that killed the country’s supreme leader.
More than 20,000 travellers have been affected by flight cancellations since UAE airports closed on Saturday, the site reported, with both Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport suffering damage from Iranian strikes.
Videos showed long queues of passengers as airlines cancelled flights through UAE hubs – stranding travelers at the airport and many others around the world with planned trips.
