Rich pay up to £260,000 to escape Middle East as war fears grow

RIYADH: The super-rich are spending huge sums of money to escape the Middle East as regional tensions sharply rise, according to a media report.

Some wealthy individuals are paying as much as £260,000 for private jet flights to leave the region safely.

After Iranian missiles and drones hit areas near the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain last weekend, many elites began rushing to leave places that were once seen as safe, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Saudi Arabia has now become the main exit route. Its capital Riyadh, is one of the few cities in the region where major international flights are still operating.

Wealthy travellers are being driven in convoys of SUVs on a long journey from Dubai to Riyadh before boarding private planes to Europe.

Private security companies are arranging transport for senior executives of global companies and high-net-worth individuals who were in the region for business or holidays. Due to rising demand, prices have surged, with private jet flights from Riyadh to Europe now costing up to $350,000 (£260,000).

Saudi Arabia has become even more attractive because of relaxed visa rules, allowing many nationalities to get visas on arrival, making fast exits easier.

However, the situation remains tense. Iran recently launched a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery, forcing it to shut down. Saudi officials confirmed that two drones were intercepted earlier, though they did not officially name Iran.

Experts say the attack shows that Gulf energy facilities are now at serious risk, raising fears that Saudi Arabia and nearby states could be drawn into the wider conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

With routes through Oman now closed and security concerns rising, Riyadh remains the main escape route, but only for those who can afford the high price.