The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) late on 19 March publicly described the continuing Iranian missile and drone strikes against the Emirates as “terrorist attacks” and vowed to “take all measures necessary to protect residents, visitors and critical infrastructure.” In practical terms, the language upgrade allows security agencies to invoke the Federal Combating Terrorism Law, giving border and aviation authorities wider powers to screen travellers, cargo and electronic devices. Officers at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International (AUH) began secondary screening of passengers arriving from or transiting through high-risk locations, while advance passenger-information vetting was expanded to all airlines using Emirati airspace. Cargo consignments are now being routed through additional X-ray inspection bays, adding 1-2 hours to average clearance times for express shipments. MoFA officials stressed that the country’s visa-on-arrival and e-visa programmes continue uninterrupted, but multinational employers have already begun alerting staff to expect longer queues and to budget extra lay-over time. Several corporate travel managers told Global Mobility News that they are temporarily re-routing high-priority movements through Muscat and Doha to reduce exposure to potential delays. The designation also unlocks compensation mechanisms for businesses under the UAE’s ‘Force Majeure for National Emergencies’ framework, potentially allowing companies to claim partial reimbursement for costs incurred by mandatory diversions or hotel stays. Legal advisers caution, however, that claims must be filed within 30 days and supported by stamped immigration records. For expatriates and frequent flyers the immediate advice is straightforward: arrive earlier at airports, carry printed itineraries showing onward connections, and ensure that mobile devices can be unlocked for inspection. While the additional scrutiny may slow journeys, it is unlikely to deter the high volume of Eid-holiday traffic expected to peak this weekend.
