05/03/2026
If you are a U.S. citizen in the listed countries and commercial flights are still operating, the State Department strongly recommends booking a regular airline ticket and leaving while flights are available.
Why they issue this guidance:
• Airspace can close suddenly.
• Airlines can cancel routes without notice.
• Conflicts can escalate quickly.
• Once airports shut down, leaving becomes much harder.
“Commercial means” refers to normal airline travel such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Delta, or any standard ticket you purchase yourself.
It does NOT refer to charter planes, military extraction, or embassy-organized evacuation flights (unless announced separately later).
If you cannot afford a ticket, have lost your passport, or have no travel options, you can contact the U.S. State Department for assistance:
From overseas: +1-202-501-4444
From the U.S. & Canada: 1-888-407-4747
They may assist with emergency documentation or coordination.
For those in the UAE specifically:
• The UAE remains politically stable.
• It is not directly at war.
• It has strong defense systems.
• Commercial flights are operating normally.
A “Depart Now” advisory during regional conflict is often precautionary. It does not automatically mean immediate danger in Dubai.
Strategically:
If flights are open and you feel uneasy, leaving earlier is easier than leaving later. If airports remain open and there are no direct strikes locally, it becomes a personal risk assessment decision.
🗣️Please share this to get the word out to Americans looking to get home.