UAE offering Canadians major travel perk when visiting Dubai or Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways announced on June 12 that it will provide complimentary medical travel insurance to all international visitors flying to or through Abu Dhabi on Etihad-operated flights. The policy, covering up to 15 days, will be automatically included with qualifying tickets and administered by the National Insurance Company—Daman. This initiative aims to enhance Abu Dhabi’s appeal amid growing global interest in the destination’s cultural and tourism offerings. The insurance requires no formal application, ensuring seamless coverage for travelers. Etihad’s Stopover Program, which allows up to four days in the UAE, will also be eligible for the free health insurance. The airline’s CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, stated that the move reflects a commitment to ‘exceptional, end-to-end visitor experiences.’ Emirates Airlines, another major UAE carrier, is developing a separate insurance solution due to government no-fly advisories in several countries. President Tim Clark noted that these advisories prevent travelers from securing standard trip insurance, forcing Emirates to collaborate with insurers on a ‘reasonably priced’ alternative. Clark emphasized that the focus is on ensuring travelers can return home regardless of their departure airline. The UAE’s tourism sector faced challenges in early 2026 after drone and missile strikes on infrastructure, including a luxury hotel and airport, led to a 14% drop in Middle East arrivals in Q1. Despite this, Dubai recorded 19.59 million overnight visitors in 2025—a 5% increase from the prior year. Canada currently advises its citizens to avoid all travel to the UAE due to ongoing military activities, citing potential security deterioration. Etihad operates flights between Abu Dhabi and Calgary and Toronto, while Emirates serves Toronto and Montreal with seven weekly flights to Dubai. The new insurance measures aim to reassure travelers amid regional instability, positioning the UAE as a resilient travel hub.