DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Hundreds of thousands of travelers have been left stranded across the Middle East as the United States and Israel’s war against Iran triggers widespread flight cancellations and airspace closures.
Airports in key hubs such as Dubai and Doha — major gateways linking Europe, Africa and Asia — have faced severe disruptions, leaving tourists, business travelers and migrant workers scrambling for alternatives.
Among those affected were Viktoriia Lokhmatova of Serbia and Michael Crepin of Belgium, who were vacationing in Dubai with their children when their return flights were canceled. The family received temporary accommodation from a local rental company while searching for new bookings. They reported hearing occasional explosions from air defense activity but said they felt safe.
Indian tech entrepreneur Varun Krishnan, founder of Fone Arena, experienced a midair turnaround while flying from Doha to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress. His aircraft was forced to return to Qatar after Iraqi airspace closed, prompting panic among some passengers.
Meanwhile, U.S. retiree Louise Herrle and her husband remain stuck in Dubai after multiple canceled flights. Hong Kong expatriate Agnes Chen Pun has moved locations twice within the UAE before securing costly tickets to Singapore.
Despite evacuation efforts, uncertainty continues as airlines await clearer security conditions across the region.
