Meriddian Times News

A British businessman based in Dubai reportedly spent £150,000 to charter a private jet out of the United Arab Emirates as tensions linked to the ongoing Iran war continue to disrupt travel and raise security concerns across the Middle East.

Samuel Leeds, a UK property investor living in Dubai, arranged the expensive private flight to England after debris from what was believed to be an Iranian drone fell near his luxury villa on the Palm Jumeirah waterfront. The incident happened during a wave of missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region following the escalation of military conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Leeds said the experience was unsettling, describing how he and his children heard an explosion before debris began falling close to their home. Despite the frightening moment, he insisted that the decision to leave Dubai was not entirely driven by fear of the conflict, claiming the private jet was simply the “easy way out” so he could attend business commitments in the United Kingdom.

The businessman reportedly flew back on Wednesday after arranging the charter flight at short notice, as commercial aviation across the Middle East has been heavily disrupted. Since the outbreak of the current conflict, airspace closures and security risks have forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights, leaving many travellers stranded in cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Kuwait.

Private aviation companies say demand for chartered flights has surged dramatically, with wealthy residents and foreign nationals paying as much as $200,000 to secure seats on private jets to Europe or safer regional airports. Brokers report that limited aircraft availability and complicated flight permissions have pushed prices far higher than normal.

The current crisis began after coordinated military strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory attacks across several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, where missile interceptions have caused falling debris and damage to buildings in parts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Authorities say several people have been injured in the UAE since the attacks started.

Leeds’ decision to spend such a large amount on a private jet has drawn criticism online, with some accusing wealthy expatriates of using their money to escape danger while ordinary residents face travel delays and uncertainty. Others defended the move, saying private flights have become one of the few reliable ways to leave the region safely during the conflict.

Despite the dramatic departure, the businessman said he expects to return to Dubai within weeks, adding that he still believes the city remains safe even as the wider Middle East continues to face rising military tensions.