This Is Why Have Brits in the Middle East been abandoned?
Mar 5, 2026
Sally Lockwood, Sky News correspondent based in Dubai, shares frontline reporting on British travellers and expats amid regional conflict. She describes chaotic repatriation attempts, disrupted airspace and missile threats. She also contrasts local support with feelings of abandonment and explores whether expats will stay or leave.
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Stranded Tourist Finally Flown Home By Airline
- Poppy from Kent was stranded in Muscat after a diverted Qatar Airways flight and waited four to five days with little info before being booked home by Qatar.
- She had paid £350 for a UK repatriation flight but never heard back, then woke to find a commercial airline had organised her return.
First Repat Flight From Oman Turned Into Chaos
- Passengers heading to the UK-charter in Oman described chaos: four hours to check in, 1.5 hours on the tarmac, then the flight was cancelled and people were returned to the terminal.
- Some were told they had no seat; one reason given for cancellation was the captain being over his allowed hours.
Active Conflict Breaks Airline Schedules
- Airspace volatility makes airline planning nearly impossible with missiles and drones causing sudden closures and in-flight cancellations.
- Sally said six missiles and over 120 drones had been fired at the UAE that day, so flights were repeatedly cancelled at boarding.