Travel agent advises Scots stuck in UAE to 'stay in hotels' as conflict escalates

A travel agent has advised Scots stuck in the UAE to “stay in their hotels” as they try and get them home amid escalating conflict.

Overnight, Israel continued its offensive in Beirut, as part of what it calls “targeted strikes” in the Lebanese capital, as well as Iran.

The conflict has grounded flights to and from the Middle East, leaving thousands stranded, with an estimated 300,000 UK citizens believed to be there.

Elidi Patterson took photos from her hotel showing the impact at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port. Supplied

Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, Barrhead Travel managing director, has been working around the clock since the weekend to help those trying to get home.

“We’ve been proactively contacting customers who are currently in the UAE, checking in with them, giving them practical advice around registering their presence, making sure they keep their mobile charged for example”, she told STV News.

“We obviously had to extend our customers’ hotel stay on the weekend to make sure they weren’t adding that burden on themselves.

“The airspace has been closed, so it’s obviously limited what we can advise a customer at this stage.

“But we have heard the repatriated flights are underway, but that will take a bit of time.

“At the moment, what we’ve been advising them is to stay in the hotel. We obviously know where all our customers are and what hotels they are staying in, and just keep in regular check-ins with ourselves, family and friends.”

Ms Tempest-Mitchell is also advising travellers to get in touch with their insurance companies once home.

“The airlines will be responsible for returning customers to the UK”, she added.

“Outside of that, most customers who have been in Dubai, for example, may have incurred additional expenses, so they will need to be in touch with insurance when they are back.”

While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that “the hardest hits are yet to come”, at Holyrood, the Scottish Government was asked whether Scottish airports would play any part in the offensive against Iran.

Mr Robertson said he has asked for “clarity” from the UK Government, which is responsible for foreign and defence decisions.

“We want to be assured that no aircraft passing through Scottish Government-owned airports have been part of offensive operations against Iran,” he said.

The UK is now considering sending a Royal Navy warship to Cyprus to bolster security at a British airbase amid signs the conflict is set to escalate.

Among those stuck in the Middle East is Elidi Patterson and her family. On Monday, she told STV News how they had to hide in a bathroom as the hotel room windows shook amid missile attacks in Dubai.

EXCLUSIVE

‘Hotel windows shook and I hid in toilet with kids’: Scots family in Dubai

Elidi Patterson, her husband and their two children are stuck in the UAE

Elidi, who runs West Port Dental Practice in Arbroath, was originally just stopping off for a three-day holiday in Dubai before returning to Glasgow with her husband, six-month-old, and two-year-old.

She had her flight cancelled and was told to contact Emirates Airlines.

After managing to get a flight back to Glasgow booked for Wednesday morning, this was once again cancelled leaving her “spirits running low”.

“I’m aware a couple of flights left Dubai this morning to the UK, so I’m praying we will be repatriated soon”, she said.

“There has been more loud booms overhead.”