An estimated 1,500 Greek citizens are among tens of thousands of international travelers currently stranded across the United Arab Emirates, facing mounting uncertainty as major military conflicts continue to paralyze the region.
The crisis, sparked by declarations of war involving Israel, the US, and Iran, has effectively shuttered crucial airspace, grounding flights at global transit hubs like Dubai International Airport (DXB).
For the 1,500 Greeks—many of whom were caught in transit or on short-term business and leisure trips—the situation is rapidly evolving from a stressful delay into a logistical and financial challenge.
Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Giannis Loverdos, addressing the nation via state broadcaster ERT, confirmed that while a comprehensive evacuation plan is prepared, it remains contingent on the reopening of safe air corridors.
“Our first priority is the protection of our citizens,” Loverdos stated, stressing the “unprecedented” nature of the conflict involving drones and missiles. Critically, Loverdos clarified that the Greek state cannot currently assume the accommodation costs for those stranded, citing the unpredictable duration of the crisis.
He urged all Greek nationals to strictly adhere to the safety protocols and instructions issued by their host countries.
Beyond stranded Greeks: A global bottleneck in the UAE
Dubai airport at the moment .
Wealthy expats are willing to pay as much as half a million dollars per person to escape .
But all aircraft is grounded .
To the North , there is Afghanistan. To east is Pakistan, to west is Iran. To south is desert.
pic.twitter.com/dvy1nVBX8S
— tic toc (@TicTocTick) March 2, 2026
While the Greek government focuses on its citizens, the predicament in the UAE is fundamentally a global emergency. DXB, the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, resembles a contained city in crisis.
Tens of thousands of passengers from virtually every corner of the globe—the UK, US, India, Australia, and beyond—are overflowing from airport terminals into local hotels, stretching Dubai’s infrastructure to its limits. For many, these are not final destinations, but disrupted connections, cutting off vital links between East and West.
Other regional airports, including those in Qatar and Dubai, remain largely non-operational, though limited flights are reportedly departing from Oman.
The cruise passenger crisis
Adding complexity to the stranded population are thousands of cruise ship passengers. Several vessels, operated by major lines, are currently docked or at anchor in UAE waters, their movements restricted by maritime security protocols and local port lockdowns.
These passengers, including hundreds of European and international vacationers, are essentially trapped on board, their planned itineraries replaced by indefinite suspension amid heightening regional tensions.
