Dubai, a desert city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has long welcomed the wealthy, who are drawn here by low taxes, high safety, a luxurious lifestyle, and a business-friendly government.

However, with its reputation now threatened by Iranian missiles overhead, many are willing to pay large sums to find a way out, as UAE airspace faces partial closures.

Smoke rises near Dubai International Airport in the UAE on 1/3, following an Iranian attack. *Photo: AP*

Evrim, a Turkish mother of two, stated that her family lives in a home on Palm Jumeirah, an artificial archipelago symbolic of Dubai's utmost luxury. However, upon seeing a fire erupt from a luxury hotel near their home due to an Iranian missile fragment, she and her husband agreed, "It's time to go".

They decided to spend 200,000 USD to plan their departure from Dubai. First, Evrim's family drove 6 hours across the desert to Muscat, Oman's capital. From there, they will fly to Geneva, Switzerland, to seek refuge until the conflict concludes.

"We were truly worried, mainly because of the children. When they heard those loud explosions, they were very scared," she said, referring to the intercepted missiles over Dubai. Evrim believes that leaving will become even more difficult if the conflict extends, as Saudi Arabia, which controls most of the region's airspace, could join the war.

Dubai has long been known as a playground for the ultra-rich and celebrities, boasting the world's tallest building, a massive shopping mall with an indoor ski slope, large-scale theme parks, and magnificent hotels.

However, the city's status as a safe hub in a volatile region is now under threat.

Since 28/2, following the US-Israel campaign against Iran, the UAE has been attacked by over 800 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and 200 missiles, resulting in three fatalities. The nation is currently the most heavily impacted in Iran's retaliatory campaign across the Gulf. UAE airports and oil and gas facilities are among the targets hit by Iranian UAVs and missiles.

Constant anxiety

Some governments are dispatching planes to Oman to evacuate citizens, as commercial flights departing the UAE have been reduced. However, many wealthy individuals are finding their own ways to escape.

"Demand is clearly increasing," said Glenn Phillips, advertising and public relations manager for Air Charter Service, a full-service private jet charter agency, on 4/3. "We have arranged a number of evacuation flights and still have more for today and tomorrow, primarily departing from Muscat, Oman, for those wishing to leave Dubai."

An empty highway in Dubai on 1/3. *Photo: CNN*

He stated that ticket prices are soaring due to a shortage of aircraft, as many are stranded at closed airports. Private aircraft operators are also hesitant to take off due to security concerns. Phillips noted that the route through Oman is the most popular, but congestion at the border with the UAE means people have to wait 3 to 4 hours to cross. Flights will become even scarcer if the conflict continues.

According to Mike D'Souza, operations coordinator at Indus Chauffeur, a company specializing in luxury chauffeured car services in Dubai, demand for car rentals to leave the UAE is surging among wealthy individuals from Western countries.

Many are seeking to depart via Saudi Arabia, where airports remain operational, though obtaining a visa for the country presents a challenge for some evacuees.

For those with more modest incomes who are stranded, the journey to find safety is far more arduous.

Satellite image of an industrial area in Dubai engulfed in smoke and fire after being hit by an attack on 1/3. *Photo: Reuters*

A British man living in Dubai with his pregnant wife and three-year-old son stated that booking commercial flights from Muscat is extremely difficult.

"Prices are soaring and seats disappear quickly as you try to book," he said. They eventually booked a flight to Hyderabad, India, and from there will fly on to Thailand.

"Although my son doesn't understand what is happening, he clearly feels insecure, and my wife is also very worried," he added. "Despite this, we still love Dubai very much and consider it our home. The whole family will definitely return after the baby is born and the situation stabilizes."

Vu Hoang (According to AFP)