Dubai influencers 'fork out hundreds of thousands' to flee Iran assault

Wealthy expats and influencers living in Dubai are reportedly paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for private travel to leave the UAE, amid the fallout caused by Israel and the US’s assault on Iran.

The joint escalation by Israel and the US triggered a wave of retaliatory attacks from Iran on US interests - particularly military bases - hosted in several Gulf countries. These have been expanded to target civilian infrastructure across the Gulf, including airports and hotels, prompting safety and security concerns, seeing thousands of expats trying to flee the UAE.

Rich expat elites living in Dubai are reportedly paying as much as $350,000 to hire private security companies to take them to Riyadh, before travelling on to their intended destinations.

Dubai has become a hub for the rich and famous, entrepreneurs and influencers, attracting thousands of expats from across the globe due to its glitzy and tax-free lifestyle, as well as business opportunities and year-round sunshine.

An estimated 90 percent of the city's four million inhabitants are foreigners, from wealthy tax exiles to labourers.

Riyadh has become another key exit route for the wealthy in Dubai, as it remains largely unimpacted by the escalation of tensions in the region, and is home to one of the few main airports in the Gulf still operating.

Security companies are reportedly providing SUVs to shuttle Dubai’s fleeing multi-millionaires to Riyadh, which is around 10 hours away by car.

The same companies then provide charter private jets to their customers from Riyadh.

Oman has also become a transit point for Dubai influencers, with multi-millionaires and influencers spotted in luxury hotels in Muscat, waiting to fly home.

Muscat airport is said to be packed with travellers seeking to fly out of the Omani capital.

Private jet companies are witnessing a surge in demand for flights out of the region - for those who can afford them.

The Financial Times said Enterjet has witnessed a 40 to 55 percent increase in bookings since the crisis in the Middle East broke out on Saturday with some demanding up to $345,000 per trip or $26,500 per seat on a 13-seat plane.

This comes as several airlines have cancelled or suspended thousands of flights from the Middle East since Saturday, plunging international travel and logistics into chaos.

Dubai Airports said on Monday evening it would resume limited flights 

Hundreds of thousands remain stranded, particularly those unable to afford the sky-high logistics fees, with limited means to leave the region. 

Israel and the US launched a joint military operation against Iran on Saturday, with the aim of "changing" the regime, and targeting senior officials, commanders, and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed.

At least 787 Iranians have been killed as of Tuesday. Iran has launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in the Gulf, chiefly the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.

On Tuesday, the US embassy was hit by an attack blamed on Iran, which prompted Washington to close the facility temporarily.

Influencers living in Dubai have also been slammed for "tone-deaf" remarks on Iran's strikes on the UAE, with many expressing that such incidents "shouldn't be happening" there, perceived by some as due to the opulent image the emirate has.

Since Saturday, influencers from around the world have rushed to their social media accounts to post videos of smoke billowing from buildings or missiles, accompanied by shocked commentary.