The AIC entitled "Aeroplanes inbound to the UAE with fuel reserves approaching minimum" dated 04 October 2006 is still valid and says:
3. The information concerning delays that is passed to the crew by the controller is the best available at the the time and takes account of the expected volume of traffic at the aeroplanes estimated arrival time. If the information available to the controller indicates a reasonably easy flow of traffic, and Estimated Approach Times (EAT) are not being issued for the destination aerodrome, the response to a request about delay will be 'No delay expected'.
3.1 NO delay expected means in these circumstances:
'DO not anticipate being required to remain in a holding pattern longer than 20 minutes before commencing an approach'.
I'm not a management genius but in the real world I take this to mean always arrive with at least 20 minutes holding fuel. This would especially apply during the peak times mentioned above. Management know about the AIC, the just don't publicize it.