Some islanders are stuck in places such as Dubai for the foreseeable, due to the cancellation of most flights, however those due to travel can only monitor the latest updates before deciding whether to leave the island.
Jamie Blondel, director of World Travel and chairman of the Guernsey Association of Travel Agents, said that travel agents were keeping an eye on travel advice for clients and looking after their bookings.
‘Dubai is the biggest hub in the world for connections, especially from the UK and Europe to the rest of the world,’ he said.
‘This has had a massive impact on people around there and those trying to get back, it’s a big concern at the moment.’
He said that most islanders tended to travel with Emirates or Qatar Airways due to ease, but there were other options.
Aurigny's codeshare agreement with Emirates remained in place, the local airline said, and Emirates would support local customers on a through ticket.
Dubai International Airport closed on Saturday when the UAE closed its airspace. Normally it would see some 200,000 people passing through each day, as a major hub for connecting flights.
On Monday evening it reopened to accommodate a limited number of flights.
‘It depends where people are going but alternative routes could be through Singapore, for example,’ said Mr Blondel.
‘We’ve been checking in with Emirates and other airlines, they are updating daily, and also the Foreign Office website, it’s important to check that our clients are going to safe places.’
He said that on the whole, people still seemed prepared to travel elsewhere. He has clients still set to head to Europe, the Canary Islands or the Caribbean.
Several local financial services businesses have offices in Dubai. International legal and professional services firm Ogier has a branch in the city.
Global managing partner Edward Mackereth said the firm was monitoring developments in the Middle East carefully.
‘The wellbeing of our people is always our first priority; all our employees are safe and, with well-established business continuity plans in place, our Dubai team remains fully operational.
‘We are grateful for their resilience and professionalism and we are continuing to support them as the situation evolves.
‘We are also committed to supporting our clients across the region and will continue to communicate should circumstances materially change.'
Aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth, the home of 201 Squadron, Guernsey’s Own RAF squadron, have been deployed to Cyprus after an Iranian drone crashed into RAF base Akrotiri and two drones were intercepted.
An RAF spokesman confirmed that some personnel from 201 Squadron were currently on exercise and had not been deployed to Cyprus.
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