Britons are allowed to travel to Dubai after the Foreign Office has lifted its ban on visits there following the US-Iran peace agreement.
The Foreign Office has said it no longer advises against all but essential travel to the UAE, meaning Britons can return to the holiday hotspot in the Middle East.
A travel ban was implemented on the UAE in March, as well as other Middle Eastern nations following the US-Israeli military operation against Iran on February 28, which sparked conflict across the region.
Dubai experienced drone strikes on its airport and other areas of the holiday destination, including hotels.
The Foreign Office said the US and Iran have “announced a memorandum of understanding in relation to the conflict in the Middle East”, but warned the situation “remains unpredictable” and conflict “could resume at short notice”.
Dubai, a city and emirate of the UAE, boasted 1.4 million British tourists visiting last year.
However, this number drastically dropped after the UK Government advised against all but essential travel.
As the conflict kicked off in March, holidaymakers were stranded in the city after the airport was struck on multiple occasions by drones from Iran.
A drone attack on Dubai’s airport in March brought operations to a halt
|
GETTY
As a result of the ban, British Airways has suspended flights to the destination until later on this year in October – Virgin Atlantic have extended this to winter of 2027.
Abu Dhabi, another popular holiday destination, was also impacted by the ban.
The Foreign Office has lifted travel restrictions on Qatar, a layover hub, and Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.
Qatar Airways has increased the number of available flights operating from the UK to Doha – with 49 journeys a week from London Heathrow, the Sun reports.
Dubai is a popular holiday destination among Brits, with 1.4 million of them visiting the city this year
|
GETTY
The travel ban has not only impacted Middle Eastern holiday destinations, but hotspots further afield, such as Thailand, the Maldives and Australia.
Due to Middle Eastern airports acting as a key layover destination, the lack of flights operating out of them had a knock-on effect on other destinations.
Thailand initially predicted as many as 11 million arrivals this year, but has reconfigured the number to 10 million tourists.
Despite the green-light for British holidaymakers to head to Dubai and other similar destinations, the Foreign Office has warned if hostilities resume, to follow advice from local authorities.
It also says to read the Government’s advice page if you’re impacted by a crisis abroad.
It also suggests to sign up to the Foreign Office’s Travel Advice email alerts and monitor local and international media for any updates on the situation.
Britons are also advised, if conflict erupts again, to stay away from security or military facilities and to take shelter if advised to.
The Foreign Office states shelter could be “an interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible”.
On March 1, Dubai International Airport was hit by a suspected strike from Iran, which led to five staff injured and evacuation.
It was struck again on the same day, causing minor injuries.
The airport briefly closed the following week after smoke rose from the site after an unidentified object was intercepted in the area.
Later that week, a strike in the airport’s area resulted in the injuries of Ghanaian, Indian and Bangladeshi nationalities.
The airport also experienced a fire after a drone attack hit a fuel tank, causing the temporary halting of flights.