Stranded in Dubai:

“Getting used to impacts, even though I don’t want to”

All is well for now: on Saturday afternoon, the couple laughed from the Burj Khalifa.(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

The war in the Middle East has far-reaching consequences for countless domestic tourists. For Lukas M. from Upper Austria and his girlfriend, the dream of a trip to the Maldives and Sri Lanka also ended in a nightmare. The couple has been stuck in Dubai for days. And they are questioning the actions of the Austrian authorities...

It was supposed to be an unforgettable vacation for Lukas M. and his girlfriend. White beaches, blue sea, deep green jungle – originally, the 30-year-old wanted to lie under palm trees with his girlfriend and a cocktail in his hand and simply enjoy life. The fact that this was not to be has a lot to do with bad luck. M. spoke to the "Krone" about the chaotic circumstances that ultimately left the couple stranded in Dubai.

Again and again, the stranded vacationers hear explosions in Dubai.(Bild: AP/Fatima Shbair)

Colombo flight was not supposed to take off
Last Saturday, everything still seemed fine. Early in the morning, at 6:40 a.m., the plane carrying the Upper Austrian and his Munich-based partner landed in the desert metropolis of Dubai. The Emirates plane was scheduled to take off for Sri Lanka's capital Colombo at 4:10 p.m. At that point, the vacationers did not know that this would never happen. During a city tour at 12:30 p.m., they first visited the tallest building in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa. 

There were more impacts today. You get used to it – even though you don't really want to.

Lukas M. im Gespräch mit der „Krone“

Just one hour after the visit, the Burj Khalifa was evacuated.
It was only after returning to the airport that the tourists realized that something was very wrong. "All flights were canceled one after the other," says M., who has been stuck in Dubai with his girlfriend ever since. Just one hour after the couple had been at the Burj Khalifa, it was evacuated. "At that point, and when we looked at our cell phones, we knew: things are about to get uncomfortable!" The Emirates flight attendants fled the airport, while the couple had to wait for their luggage, which was stuck in the transit area.

Lukas M. has had enough of the Austrian authorities. He hopes that the Germans will now be able to help him.(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

Missile alert on the bus on the highway
The two spent a total of nine hours at the airport. After that, they were given hotel vouchers, loaded onto a bus, and driven around the area. When the bus was on the highway, all passengers received a missile alert on their cell phones. It was an uneasy feeling for everyone, as there was nowhere to hide, says the 30-year-old. The gate from which the connecting flight to Colombo would have departed was also hit by a drone. Some hotels were full, so the bus journey continued until they were finally able to check into a hotel. 

Excerpt from the unfortunate communication with the local embassy.(Bild: zVg)

"Booking two flights a day to get out at some point"
The Upper Austrian says that he hasn't heard much back from Emirates. In the meantime, at least they have said that they will cover the costs. This is important, because the couple is currently booking "two flights a day" to find a way out of Dubai. Of course, without success, as the airspace remains closed and all flights are canceled again. He confirms that it is absolutely safe in Dubai itself. While drinking beer by the pool, they can hear loud explosions from the air defense. The couple feels uneasy, but not unsafe. 

From Dubai to Abu Dhabi and through the Saudi Arabian desert
M. urgently calls on the authorities at home to take action. While the German authorities send detailed daily updates (e.g., on the situation and when return flights can be expected from where), the Austrian authorities want to send the vacationers across the entire desert. They should drive to Abu Dhabi and then cross Saudi Arabia by car. From there, they would have to organize their own onward transport. Screenshots of the communication are available to the "Krone." The Austrian-German couple is now hoping for help from the German side to put an end to their nightmare vacation.