"It's time to leave": Dubai's ultra-wealthy are seeking by any means to depart this glamorous, cosmopolitan tax haven, in some cases paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to get away from the regional war currently underway.
Located between desert and sea, the city of the United Arab Emirates has long attracted millionaires, drawn by its favorable tax system, security, and authorities supportive of entrepreneurship and trade.
But when Iranian missiles and drones appeared over the skyscrapers on Saturday, some paid enormous sums to secure a way out, as UAE airspace was partially closed and commercial flights were operating only sparingly.
"When we saw the fire, we said, 'okay, it's time to go,'" said Evrim, a Turkish national, referring to a blaze that broke out at a luxury hotel near her home on the famous artificial island archipelago The Palm, after missile debris fell.
Evrim, her husband, and their two young children paid $200,000 to fly from neighboring Oman to Geneva, where they plan to stay while awaiting the end of the war.
The family did not want to wait, fearing an escalation of the conflict across the region in the event of Saudi Arabia's involvement in the war, as the kingdom controls a large portion of the region's airspace.
To reach Muscat, they drove six hours through the desert. "We were very anxious," she told Agence France-Presse (AFP). "Mainly because of the children—when they heard the sound (of the missile interceptions), they were frightened."
Private jets
The Emirates, which authorities say were targeted by more than 800 drones and 200 missiles, resulting in three deaths, are bearing the brunt of Iranian strikes in the Gulf in retaliation for the Israeli-American military campaign.
Airports and oil facilities—the backbone of the country's economy—are among the targets that have been hit.
Several foreign governments, including the United Kingdom and Germany, are sending aircraft to Oman to evacuate their citizens, while a limited number of commercial flights continue to depart from UAE airports.
However, the wealthiest are finding alternatives. Glen Phillips, public relations manager for Air Charter Service, a global private jet provider, said that demand has "clearly increased."
"We have already arranged a number of evacuation flights and others are being planned (…), particularly from Muscat," he told AFP.
The route to Oman is the most popular, Phillips added, but congestion at the border requires waits of three to four hours.
According to him, prices have soared due to a shortage of aircraft, with many grounded. Private jet companies are also hesitant to fly because of safety concerns.
At the same time, demand for private car transfers out of the Emirates has surged, said Mike de Souza, operations coordinator at Indus Chauffeur in Dubai, noting that his clientele consists mainly of wealthy Western nationals.
Many are heading to Saudi Arabia, where airports continue to operate, even though obtaining visas for the kingdom can be challenging. For those with lower incomes, escaping is far more difficult.
A British expatriate, who did not wish to be named, told AFP that he struggled greatly to find a commercial flight departing from Muscat for himself, his pregnant wife, and their three-year-old son.
"Prices are extremely high and seats disappear quickly while you're trying to book," he explained.
He eventually managed to secure a flight to Hyderabad, India, from where they will travel on to Thailand.
"Even though my son doesn't understand what's happening, it has clearly unsettled him, and my wife is also anxious. We deeply love Dubai and consider it our home," he said.
"We intend to return once our baby is born and the situation calms down," he added—though he does not know when that will be.
Πηγή: en.protothema.gr
