Hong Kong residents stranded in Dubai say they feel ‘helpless’ amid flight disruptions

Some Hong Kong residents stranded in Dubai say they feel “helpless” as flight disruptions linked to rising tensions in the Middle East continue to affect travel plans.

Cathay Pacific has cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh scheduled through next Saturday, leaving travelers scrambling for alternative arrangements.

One Hong Kong traveler currently in Dubai said she had purchased a ticket on an Emirates flight scheduled to depart on Thursday but had been unable to contact the airline to confirm whether the flight would operate.

“I can only take it step by step,” she said, adding that the uncertainty has left her feeling “isolated and helpless.”

She said she had also contacted Hong Kong’s Immigration Department but had not received any useful information so far.

As a backup plan, she bought another ticket to leave the region via Oman. However, the route would require crossing the border by land, with transportation costs reaching as high as HK$7,000.

Another Hong Kong resident in Dubai said she had received notice from Cathay Pacific that her return flight had been cancelled and that the earliest available flight back to Hong Kong would be on the 18th of the month.

She also purchased a ticket on an Emirates flight scheduled to depart on Thursday. However, she said local authorities had advised passengers to wait for confirmation from airlines before heading to the airport.

Otherwise, travelers were advised to remain in their hotels to ensure their safety.

The resident said she had also considered leaving Dubai by traveling overland to Oman, but complicated immigration procedures and high costs made the option impractical.

She eventually decided to stay in Dubai and wait for a confirmed flight out of the city.