‘Half of Dubai is booking’: expats drive to Oman and Saudi Arabia to find flights out

Expatriates in Dubai are urgently seeking flights out of the UAE amid an unspecified crisis, with reports suggesting half the city’s foreign population is attempting to leave. Many are driving to neighboring Oman and Saudi Arabia to secure outbound flights, bypassing Dubai’s overwhelmed airports and travel restrictions. The surge in departures began in March 2026, though the exact trigger—geopolitical tensions, economic instability, or other factors—remains unconfirmed by officials. Long queues and skyrocketing ticket prices have forced travelers to explore alternative routes, including land crossings to Muscat and Riyadh. Local authorities have not addressed the exodus, leaving residents and businesses to navigate logistical chaos without official guidance.