Wealthy Middle East elites pay up to $350,000 to flee Gulf amid Iranian strikes

As Iranian missiles and drones continue to strike cities across the Gulf, wealthy residents and senior executives are scrambling to escape, sending private aviation costs soaring.

Riyadh has emerged as the main transit hub, with its airport among the few still operating. Stranded residents from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Bahrain are making long drives to the Saudi capital to catch private jets or commercial flights out of the region, reports Semafor.

Private security firms are arranging fleets of SUVs to transport high-net-worth individuals and corporate executives across the 10-hour journey from Dubai to Riyadh, before chartering aircraft.

The sudden spike in demand has pushed prices for private jets and ground transport to record levels. "Saudi Arabia is the only real option for people who want to get out of the region right now," said Ameerh Naran, chief executive of private jet brokerage Vimana Private. Flights from Riyadh to Europe now cost up to $350,000, he said.

The rush follows a weekend of Iranian attacks on Gulf cities, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which have long been considered safe havens for the wealthy. Qatar and Bahrain were also targeted, shattering the sense of security that had drawn elites to the region.

Evacuation routes through Oman were considered but closed after Iranian strikes hit a port and an oil tanker on Sunday, leaving Riyadh as the safest and most viable exit.

The Saudi capital's rise as a haven marks a major shift. In previous years, frequent rocket attacks by Houthi militias in Yemen had made the city seem risky. During past crises, including the Arab Spring and last year's 12-day US-Iran conflict, elites typically fled through other cities.

With few options, the wealthy and executives are now turning to Riyadh. "We have been approached by families, individuals, and corporations that need to leave the region because of safety fears or business reasons," said Ian McCaul, operations and future plans director at UK-based security firm Alma Risk.

Loosened visa rules have helped Riyadh emerge as a key escape route, allowing many nationalities to obtain visas on arrival. The city has largely avoided Iranian attacks so far, keeping its airspace open. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had pledged not to allow Saudi territory or airspace to be used for strikes on Iran.

While other Gulf cities face devastation, daily life in Riyadh has continued. Some expatriate schools have shifted to online classes, and some companies have asked staff to work from home, but much of the city remains operational. For those fleeing the Gulf, private aviation has become a critical lifeline at a high cost.