By Final Rentals | Dubai & Doha Operations Team
Air travel in the Middle East is experiencing extreme congestion and tighter restrictions than ever before. Escalating geopolitical tensions from “Operation Epic Fury” are placing intense pressure on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) aviation system. Major airports, including Dubai International (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), and Hamad International in Doha, are experiencing short-term closures, flight diversions, and substantial delays.
More than one million travellers across the region are impacted, frequently left waiting with limited control over their plans. Being stuck in an airport or hotel creates stress, logistical difficulties, and mental strain. As a global car rental provider operating in Dubai and Qatar, Final Rentals tracks both flight schedules and road conditions on Sheikh Zayed Road and GCC border crossings.
When air travel is unreliable, travelling by road offers a reliable option. During this crisis, travellers should focus on five priorities: maintaining cross-border mobility, retaining control when stranded, having clear insurance coverage, utilising flexible booking options, and securing evacuation support for expatriates.
Maintaining Cross-Border Travel During Flight Disruptions
The ongoing crisis has led to major disruptions throughout regional air corridors. In the last 72 hours alone, almost 40% of flights connecting the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have been either delayed or cancelled as a result of heightened security alerts. As a consequence, relying exclusively on air travel has become a significantly higher-risk option for travellers.
Here, long-term car rentals in the UAE for 30 days or more become a practical necessity. The GCC road network is highly developed, with Dubai to Muscat taking approximately 4.5 hours via the Hili Border, and Dubai to Dammam around 6 hours. While airspace may be closed, land borders generally remain open for travellers with valid visas and documentation.
Passengers stranded in Dubai with cancelled flights can use a rental vehicle to reach an operational airport. If Doha faces restrictions, driving to hubs in Oman or southern Saudi Arabia may be the only viable way to continue onward travel to Europe or Asia.
Careful planning is essential. Short-term daily rentals typically come with mileage restrictions and insurance limitations that exclude cross-border travel. Final Rentals’ long-term fleet, however, provides GPS tracking, emergency roadside support throughout GCC borders, and all required vehicle registration documents (Mulkiya) needed for customs clearance.
This approach does not involve entering conflict zones but focuses on using the GCC highway network to reach airports that are safe and operational.
Safe Harbour Rentals: Restoring Control
The impact extends beyond just flight cancellations. More than 30,000 German tourists and 58,000 Indonesian pilgrims are stuck in hotels, cruise terminals, or airport lounges. Limited mobility strips travellers of control, forcing them to depend entirely on airline schedules. Families, elderly pilgrims, and visitors unfamiliar with the region are especially susceptible to heightened stress.
The “Safe Harbour” rental offers both practical and psychological relief. With a private vehicle, travellers can leave their hotel, shop for essentials, move to quieter areas, and avoid crowded districts without relying on public transport. For larger groups, multiple vehicles allow decentralised movement to consulates or safe assembly points.
Independent travellers regain control, turning passive waiting into active mobility. Final Rentals prioritises SUVs and larger vans for families or groups, enabling safe, coordinated movement and restoring freedom even during uncertain conditions.
Rental Protection in Regional Tensions
Many travellers worry about being liable if their rental car is damaged during the conflict. Standard rental agreements and insurance policies usually exclude coverage for “Acts of War,” “Civil Commotion,” or “Force Majeure,” making these terms particularly important during “Operation Epic Fury.”
While standard insurance rarely covers damage from military action, terrorism, or nuclear incidents, the UAE and Qatar remain safe for everyday travel. Typical risks to vehicles arise from congestion, panic driving, or theft during civil unrest. Final Rentals has activated a Crisis Coverage Protocol:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Covers accidents caused by unusual traffic conditions, including sudden braking or evacuation congestion.
- Theft and Vandalism: Excess liability is waived in Level 2 Security Alert areas when vehicles are locked and keys are secured.
- War Exclusion: Direct acts of war, such as missile strikes, are not insurable. However, the likelihood of this in our operational safe zones (Dubai Marina, Doha West Bay) is extremely low, while being stranded without a vehicle is a far greater risk.
Travellers are encouraged to use the Premium Protection Package, which reduces the deductible to zero for non-war-related incidents and provides 24/7 priority support. Claims are assessed individually, prioritising safety and peace of mind.
Flexible Booking Policies
Government advisories, including the UK Foreign Office and US State Department, recommend avoiding airports unless flights are confirmed. This creates a dilemma: travellers need a car to reach the airport, but cannot commit until flights are certain. Final Rentals has introduced a Zero-Penalty Crisis Policy for all bookings, including pickup in Qatar, UAE, or Saudi Arabia:
- Cancellation: Bookings can be cancelled up to two hours before pickup with a full refund.
- One-Way Flexibility: One-way fees within the GCC are waived for 30 days to allow access to operational airports or safe zones.
This policy removes financial risk, allowing travellers to plan mobility confidently.
Evacuation Support for Expatriates
The Gulf hosts hundreds of thousands of Western and Asian expats, including approximately 300,000 British citizens. Evacuation plans may involve ports or airports, and public transport is often unreliable. Private vehicles offer the most dependable last-mile solution. Final Rentals provides dedicated evacuation support:
- Vehicle Selection: We advise using SUVs with higher ground clearance, as evacuation routes may require driving over curbs or through undeveloped areas near assembly points.
- Fuel Policy: Customers should maintain a fuel level of at least 75% at all times, as fuel queues can form quickly during alerts.
- Documentation: Every vehicle comes with a digital and physical folder containing the car registration, insurance card, and a Final Rentals authorisation letter in Arabic and English. This is essential if you are stopped at military checkpoints while travelling to an evacuation point.
- Communication: All vehicles are connected to our dispatch centre. Notify us if you are en route to an evacuation assembly point so we can track your route and alert authorities in case of a blockade or breakdown.
Reservations are prioritised for citizens providing proof of embassy registration, ensuring reliable transport during evacuation.
Supporting Over One Million Travellers
Air travel in the Middle East is centralised and vulnerable, while road travel is decentralised and adaptive. As a global car rental provider, Final Rentals focuses on three pillars during this crisis:
Mobility
Cross-border and long-term car rentals in the UAE provide a practical alternative to short-haul flights.
Safety
Clear insurance guidance, security-zone awareness, and reliable vehicles help travellers stay protected.
Flexibility
Zero-penalty bookings and rapid response support enable quick adaptation to changing conditions.
Geopolitics may be beyond your control, but preparedness is not. In times of uncertainty, being flexible matters more than being fast, and true flexibility starts with the freedom to travel on your own terms.
Stay Safe. Stay Mobile.
The Final Rentals Team
Dubai | Doha | Riyadh
