Right now, the situation is far from clear for many people. You may be following the news from home, or you may be somewhere abroad, trying to understand when and how you will return. Both experiences bring their own kind of stress. Yet for those who are currently outside the UAE and unable to travel back, the feeling of uncertainty can be particularly intense.

When flights are cancelled, routes change suddenly, and information arrives in fragments, it is natural to feel that you need to act quickly. To search for another ticket, to go to the airport, to try one more route that might bring you closer to home.

However, in moments like these, a quieter approach often works better. Sometimes, doing less is the most sensible thing you can do.

Despite major airspace restrictions in the region, Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports have resumed limited operations, and both Emirates and Etihad have restarted a small number of flights. Technically, this means there is a possibility of returning. However, the situation remains highly unstable. Flights continue to be cancelled. Flight tracking services show occasional aircraft travelling to and from the UAE, yet it is still far too early to say that reaching home has become straightforward again.

For this reason, it may be wise not to rush to the airport or attempt complicated routes unless your situation is genuinely urgent.

Tip: Don't rely on rumours or random online chats. Always confirm information through official sources.

If returning immediately is not possible, extending your stay may be the most practical and comfortable option.

Consider the following steps:

Most importantly, avoid making rushed decisions.

Advice: Don't panic-book expensive last-minute flights if the situation remains unstable. Waiting even a day or two can sometimes provide much clearer options.

First and foremost: don't try to fix everything immediately.

In many cases, the most sensible approach for the next few days is simply to stay where you are, apply for refunds for cancelled flights, and monitor developments calmly.

This may feel counterintuitive. When uncertainty appears, the instinct is often to act. Yet constant movement can create more stress than stability.

Sofia Brontvein, founder of The Sandy Times, experienced this first-hand while travelling back to Dubai.

“When everything happened, I was in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I was supposed to travel from San Juan to Madrid, then from Madrid to Doha and from Doha to Dubai with Qatar Airways, but it all became a mess. The flights from San Juan to Madrid and from Madrid to Doha were operated by Iberia, the Spanish airline. They cancelled the Madrid–Doha flight and automatically cancelled the flight from San Juan to Madrid as well.

I still went to the airport and explained that I was trying to get home and that Madrid would at least bring me closer. They allowed me to fly to Madrid, but they asked me to buy another ticket proving I would leave Spain. I bought a Madrid–Dubai ticket with Emirates, but while I was in the air it was cancelled.”

When she arrived in Madrid after a long overnight flight, the situation was still changing rapidly.

“I was extremely tired and overwhelmed by the news, worried about my friends and colleagues. I went to the Emirates office and they told me that there were repatriation flights for those who had UAE passports or Emirates IDs. They said they could try to place me on a flight operated by Etihad to Abu Dhabi, but that the situation was very chaotic. These flights could be rescheduled or cancelled at any moment. They advised that if I could stay in Spain for a couple of days and wait for the situation to improve, that would be the best option.”

Like many people currently abroad, Sofia admits the instinct to return home is strong.

“Honestly, I understand that everyone who is away from Dubai right now wants to get back. Somehow, even with everything happening, you feel safer and calmer when you are in Dubai. I think this shows how much we love the city and how much it has truly become our home.”

Yet she ultimately chose to pause rather than keep moving.

“I had been travelling for nearly forty-eight hours and I was exhausted. I realised there are people who need those repatriation flights much more than I do. Families, parents, children.

So I decided to stay for a couple of days, take a deep breath, and wait. When you keep moving, making decisions, buying tickets, cancelling tickets, going to the airport, packing and unpacking, your brain feels that you are in control and doing something.

But sometimes it is much harder to let things go and simply sit still and wait.

I believe that is what we need to do right now instead of constantly calling airlines, sending messages, and refreshing airport boards and updates. We simply need to wait. I am sure that the UAE and the Gulf region are doing everything they can to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

So for now, I am staying in Spain for a few days to see how things develop."

If your stay abroad becomes longer than expected, small adjustments can help make the situation feel more manageable.

Think about comfortable and sustainable accommodation

If you are travelling on a budget, consider alternatives such as:

Finding a place that feels comfortable and affordable can significantly reduce anxiety if your stay extends beyond your original plans.

Keep your routine

Maintaining familiar habits helps your mind remain calm.

At the same time, try to limit constant news monitoring. Endless scrolling rarely brings clarity.

Stay connected

Regular conversations with friends and family can provide reassurance and emotional stability.

Don't cancel your ticket unless the airline cancels the flight

This is particularly important for refunds. If you cancel the ticket yourself, the refund conditions may be much more restrictive.

Your next steps may depend largely on your employment situation.

If you are unable to return to the UAE immediately, the best approach is to communicate openly with your employer and explore possible arrangements. These might include:

Under UAE labour regulations, companies are allowed to adopt flexible arrangements during force majeure situations.

To benefit from these provisions, employees should provide evidence that the situation was beyond their control. This might include official airline cancellation notices or government travel restrictions.

Across Europe and beyond, many UAE residents are currently experiencing the same uncertainty.

Communication specialist Vasile Kachalovski is currently in Milan after travelling for fashion week with his team.

“We were supposed to fly back to Dubai over the weekend, but due to the current situation it hasn't been possible. For now, we are rebooking our flights day by day, hoping that we will be able to return soon to our families and loved ones. Since the situation started, no flights have been operating, so like many others we are simply waiting for updates.”

Like many others, his team has decided to stay put and continue working while waiting for clearer information.

“For now, we are staying in a hotel together and trying to maintain our regular work routine as much as possible, continuing to support our clients remotely. Whenever Emirates announces new cancellations or updates, we immediately contact the call centre to check the status of our flights and explore possible options.”

His advice for others in a similar position is simple but important.

“I would recommend trying not to spend too much time constantly monitoring the news. It is better to keep a routine that helps you stay calm and focused. For me, that means reading, walking around the city as much as possible, and staying in touch with family and friends. Having that sense of connection really helps in moments like this while everyone waits for more clarity.”

For now, patience may be the most valuable travel strategy of all. The situation continues to evolve, and airlines and authorities across the region are working to restore normal operations.

Until then, staying informed, staying calm, and staying where you are — at least for the moment — might be the most sensible way forward.