We were writing our Dubai schools guide when the US-Israel strikes on Iran changed everything. Here's where things stand for schools, flights, and expat life in the UAE.
Schools
Every school and university in the UAE has been on remote learning since March 2 - the first working day after the conflict began. Authorities moved spring break forward to March 9, and as of March 17, remote learning has been extended for another two weeks after the break ends on March 22. No children are physically in school, and the situation is being reviewed weekly.
By most accounts, schools are managing. Taaleem's US curriculum director told The National they're running a blended approach, since many students and staff are no longer in the country. Admissions are still continuing as normal across UAE international schools - a sign that institutions are planning for a return, even if the timeline is unclear.
At the university level, NYU Abu Dhabi, Middlesex, and Heriot-Watt have all gone remote "for the foreseeable future." Several Canadian and European institutions are now reassessing their Gulf branch campuses entirely, raising questions about the longer-term future of transnational education in the region.
The UAE has also revoked the licences of five Iranian schools, leaving around 2,500 Iranian students without a clear path forward.
What's Happening on the Ground
According to Gulf News, the UAE's air defences have intercepted 334 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,714 drones since February 28. The interception rate is above 90%, but that still means some have gotten through. Strikes or debris have hit the Fairmont hotel on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Airport (twice), Jebel Ali port, a building in the financial district (DIFC), and areas near the Burj Al Arab and US Consulate. Three foreign nationals have been killed and more than 70 injured - mostly from falling interception debris rather than direct hits.
Residents describe a strange blend of routine and unease. Supermarkets are stocked, the internet works, beaches are open. But there are missile alerts on phones, GPS scrambling across the city, and the Ramadan cannon - traditionally fired to mark the end of daily fasting - has been paused. Most public and private sector workers have been told to work from home. Dubai police are prosecuting people for sharing unauthorised security content on social media, which adds a layer of tension to the information environment.
Flights
This is probably the most disruptive part for families trying to make decisions. Emirates keeps suspending all flights, then partially resuming, then suspending again. British Airways has pulled out until at least June. Cathay Pacific is suspended through March 31, Virgin Atlantic for the rest of the winter season, and Wizz Air has cancelled UAE routes until September. Globally, more than 11,000 flights have been cancelled.
For those outside the UAE considering a move, getting there reliably is a real problem right now. For those already there and thinking about leaving, getting out isn't straightforward either.
Economy and Expat Life
Dubai's tourism industry has taken the biggest immediate hit. More than 80,000 hotel bookings were cancelled in the first week alone. Occupancy has dropped to around 30% - one hotel group chairman told NDTV he's had to close multiple floors across six properties. The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates regional visitor spending losses at around $600 million per day.
The financial district, DIFC, emptied out after Iran threatened US and Israeli economic targets in the region. Citi, Deloitte, and PwC all evacuated their offices. One security firm reported that seven corporate clients were looking to evacuate between 1,000 and 3,000 employees in the first week.
The UAE is now preparing to ease tax residency rules for expats who've left - typically you need 183 days in-country per year, but authorities are signalling flexibility given the circumstances. The fact that this is being discussed tells you something about the scale of departures.
Not everyone is leaving. Plenty of long-term residents say they're staying put - the phrase "functioning but tense" comes up a lot. For many, the life they've built in the UAE is hard to walk away from.
The US State Department has issued a Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" advisory for the UAE and ordered non-emergency staff and families out as of March 2.
We'll post our Dubai schools and neighbourhoods guide when the situation allows. For now, like all of you, we hope things improve quickly.
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