By Final Rentals | Dubai & Doha Operations Team
Airspace across the Middle East is growing both congested and restricted. Escalating geopolitical tensions related to the current situation, known as "Operation Epic Fury," are placing extraordinary strain on the aviation networks that normally link the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to the wider world. Major airports, including Dubai International (DXB), Abu Dhabi International (AUH), and Hamad International in Doha, are facing temporary closures, flight diversions, and extensive rerouting.
For more than one million travellers in the region, whether in transit, stranded, or trying to continue their journey, airline updates often offer little beyond a simple instruction to wait. Being stuck in an airport or hotel without control over your plans can quickly become stressful and create practical difficulties. Final Rentals operates directly on the ground in Dubai and Qatar. Our insight extends beyond aviation data. We observe traffic along Sheikh Zayed Road and queues at border crossings.
When the skies are uncertain, road travel provides a crucial alternative. Practical strategies can help maintain mobility, safety, and flexibility during the current disruption, focusing on five key areas: cross-border ground travel, retaining personal agency while stranded, a clear understanding of insurance in conflict zones, flexible booking options, and evacuation logistics for expatriates.
Cross-Border Mobility: Using Roads When Flights Are Limited
The most immediate effect of the current crisis is the disruption of regional air corridors. Recent data shows that nearly 40% of flights connecting the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have been delayed or cancelled due to airspace security alerts. For travellers attempting to reach operational airports or safer locations, relying solely on air travel has become a high-risk strategy.
Long-term car rentals in the UAE are increasingly essential. The GCC boasts one of the most advanced highway networks globally. Driving from Dubai to Muscat via the Hili Border takes approximately 4.5 hours. The drive from Dubai to Dammam takes roughly 6 hours. Even when airspace restrictions are in place, land borders across the GCC have largely remained accessible for travellers with the correct visas and documentation.
For a passenger stranded in Dubai with a cancelled flight, a rental vehicle provides the option to reach an alternative airport. Similarly, if Doha faces operational restrictions, driving to hubs in Oman or southern Saudi Arabia may be the only feasible route to continue journeys to Europe or Asia.
Effective cross-border travel requires planning. Final Rentals advises clients to consider long-term car rentals in the UAE for 30 days or more. This provides the stability needed for regional planning. Daily rentals often include mileage limits and insurance clauses that do not allow cross-border use. Our long-term fleet comes equipped with GPS tracking, emergency roadside support that covers GCC borders, and the vehicle registration documents, Mulkiya, required at customs.
This strategy does not involve travelling into conflict areas. It focuses on using the GCC highway network to reach secure locations. If one airport is closed, having a vehicle enables access to another that is open.
Safe Harbour Rentals: Regaining Control When Stranded
The impact of travel disruptions extends beyond cancelled flights. Over 30,000 German tourists and 58,000 Indonesian pilgrims are currently stranded across the region in hotels, cruise terminals, and airport lounges.
Being stranded often leads to a loss of control, which can be psychologically stressful. Travellers who rely solely on airlines to reschedule are passive participants, dependent on others’ timelines. Families, elderly pilgrims, and those unfamiliar with the region are particularly affected.
The Safe Harbour rental concept provides a solution. Access to a private vehicle allows travellers to move freely, shop for essentials, or relocate to quieter areas without relying on public or charter transport. Indonesian pilgrim groups can manage logistics more effectively, while German tourists regain independence. Final Rentals prioritises SUVs and larger vans to help families and groups stay together during periods of uncertainty.
Vehicle Insurance and Coverage Amid Regional Uncertainty
Liability is a common concern at our Dubai and Doha counters. Travellers often ask whether they are responsible if a rental vehicle is damaged during the conflict. This is a valid concern. Standard insurance policies and rental agreements often exclude coverage for Acts of War, Civil Commotion, or Force Majeure. In normal times, this is fine print. During Operation Epic Fury, these clauses are highly relevant.
Most standard policies exclude damage caused by direct military action, terrorism, or nuclear hazards. However, conditions on the ground in the UAE and Qatar remain stable. Practical risks to vehicles are usually from secondary factors such as heavy traffic, sudden braking, or opportunistic theft during periods of unrest. Final Rentals has implemented a Crisis Coverage Protocol during the current security alerts:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Coverage remains valid for accidents caused by unusual traffic conditions related to the crisis
- Theft and Vandalism: In areas under Level 2 Security Alerts, excess liability may be waived provided the vehicle is locked, and the keys are not left inside.
- War Exclusion: Direct acts of war cannot be insured. However, the probability of such events in our primary operational areas, including Dubai Marina and Doha West Bay, is extremely low compared with the risk of being stranded.
Travellers wanting added peace of mind should consider the Premium Protection Package. It eliminates the deductible for incidents unrelated to war and includes 24-hour priority support. Each claim is reviewed individually with an emphasis on helping the customer.
Flexible Booking During Disruptions
Governments, including the UK Foreign Office and US State Department, currently advise travellers not to go to airports unless flights are confirmed. This creates a challenge. A car is needed to reach the airport, but booking one may feel risky until flights are confirmed. Final Rentals is introducing a Zero-Penalty Crisis Policy for all bookings in the Middle East:
- Cancellation: Any booking for pickup in Qatar, UAE, or Saudi Arabia can be cancelled up to two hours before pickup with a full refund
- One-Way Flexibility: For the next 30 days, one-way fees within the GCC are waived to encourage movement toward open borders and safe zones
This policy removes the financial burden of planning. Travellers can rent a vehicle to maintain mobility, cancel if their flight is cancelled, or extend the rental if it is delayed. Final Rentals manages all logistics so travellers can concentrate on their safety.
Expatriate Evacuation Support
The Gulf hosts a large expatriate community, including roughly 300,000 British citizens and hundreds of thousands of residents from Europe, Asia, and elsewhere. Several governments are preparing evacuation plans with assembly points at ports or airports.
Public transport can become unreliable during evacuations. Buses may be redirected, metro services reduced, and taxis scarce or expensive. For families needing to reach assembly points in industrial or specialised locations, private vehicles are the most reliable option. Final Rentals has created an Evacuation Support Guide for expatriates:
- Vehicle Selection: SUVs with higher ground clearance are recommended for routes that may include curbs or undeveloped areas
- Fuel Planning: Maintain at least a 75% tank, as petrol station queues can build up rapidly.
- Documentation: Digital and printed folders contain registration papers, insurance, and an authorisation letter from Final Rentals in Arabic and English
- Communication: All vehicles are linked to our dispatch centre. Travellers going to assembly points should inform us so we can monitor their route and provide support if needed.
For British citizens and other expatriates without personal vehicles, rentals provide a critical link to evacuation transport. Reservations are prioritised for travellers with proof of embassy evacuation registration.
The Broader Context
More than one million travellers in the Middle East are currently stranded, rerouted, or facing flight uncertainty. Air travel is highly centralised and sensitive to restrictions, while road travel offers greater flexibility and adaptability. As a global car rental provider operating in Dubai and Qatar, Final Rentals concentrates on three key priorities during this disruption:
- Mobility: Cross-border and long-term car rentals in the UAE can replace short-haul regional flights
- Safety: Clear insurance guidance, security-zone awareness, and dependable vehicles
- Flexibility: Zero-penalty booking policies and responsive support
Although geopolitical events are beyond our control, operational readiness is manageable. In uncertain times, flexibility is more important than speed, and true flexibility starts with the freedom to move independently.
Stay safe. Stay mobile.
The Final Rentals Team
Dubai | Doha | Riyadh
