When widespread flight disruptions triggered by regional airspace closures forced airlines to suspend or delay services, many travellers in the UAE found themselves in a situation few had anticipated. Planned itineraries gave way to uncertainty as passengers waited in terminals or extended hotel stays, unsure when their next flight home might depart. Some had been passing through the country on connecting flights; others had arrived for brief holidays. But as schedules shifted and departures were postponed, the disruption left many stranded across cities, including Dubai, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. In response, residents across the Emirates have begun offering quiet acts of assistance — opening their homes, providing meals and arranging basic necessities for travellers they had never met before. Among those stepping forward is Riyaz Raj, a consultant, businessman and owner of the restaurant Rio Broast Chicken. A long-time resident of the UAE, Raj said the sight of stranded visitors struggling to manage the unexpected costs of extended stays compelled him to help. “Many tourists are stranded in Dubai, and several have exhausted their money on accommodation, attractions and food,” he said. “So now I am here helping anyone in need of food and essentials.” Raj, who has lived […]