Wealthy travellers pay up to Sh18m in private jet fees amid UAE flight cancellations

Travellers stranded in the United Arab Emirates are spending up to Sh 18 million ($140,000) for private jet flights or enduring 10-hour drives to operational airports in neighbouring countries, as escalating conflict disrupts air travel.

Dubai International Airport, a vital global hub, has been closed since Saturday following Iranian missile and drone attacks. Nearly 300 flights were cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

No firm timeline exists for full reopening, prompting affluent evacuees to reroute through Oman and Saudi Arabia, according to Forbes.

“Private jet demand has exploded, but willing operators have dwindled,” said Alty Kula, spokesperson for JetVIP private jet brokerage.

Local aircraft, usually available for regional charters, remain grounded at shuttered airfields. This forces planes to fly in from distant locations, driving up costs dramatically.

Airports in Muscat, Oman, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have become key escape points. Private security firms have mobilised SUV convoys to shuttle high-profile clients, senior executives from global finance firms, and wealthy business or leisure travellers to these hubs for onward flights, reports Semafor.

Most evacuation charters are heading to Istanbul, London, or Rome. Light jets from Muscat to Istanbul now cost over Sh 11.9 million ($93,000), double the normal rate, while heavy jets reach Sh 18 million ($140,000).

The disruption has rippled through markets. Airline stocks plunged on Monday as hundreds of flights remained grounded.

Meanwhile, Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped nearly 8% to its highest level since January 2025. Higher oil prices translate to pricier jet fuel, adding to an anticipated wave of trip cancellations amid the regional violence.

On a typical day, private jets range from roughly Sh 387.6 million ($3 million) for used very-light jets to over Sh 12.9 billion ($100 million) for new ultra-long-range models, according to multiple charter websites. 

New light jets commonly cost Sh 775.2 million – Sh 1.5 billion ($6 million – $12 million), midsize jets Sh1.9 bn – Sh 1.93 bn ($15 m – $30 million), and heavy jets Sh 4.2 billion – Sh 8.3 billion ($35 million–$65 million).

Operating costs add Sh 64.5 million–Sh 129 million ($500,000–over $1 million) annually.