Summary
Attack on Iran shuts much of the Middle East to air travel, stranding travelers
Travelers trying to move through the Middle East found themselves stuck on Sunday after an attack on Iran by the United States and Israel shut down much of the region to air travel, prompting airspace closures, flight cancellations and uncertain timelines for when airports might reopen. Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar closed their airspace on Saturday, and airspace in southern Syria also was closed, according to the Associated Press.
In the days after the shutdown, hundreds of thousands of people faced disrupted itineraries as hotels and airports filled with stranded tourists and business travelers. Many were left without clear answers about when flights to and through the region would resume, while some governments advised their citizens to shelter in place.
Major hub airports in the UAE — including Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest in the world — became focal points for the disruption. All three major UAE airports that reported shutdowns and closures, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, were described as directly hit by strikes, according to airport and government reports cited by AP.
In Dubai, the situation for some travelers unfolded amid reports of strikes hitting the city. AP reported that stranded travelers could hear fighter jets overhead and an explosion when the Fairmont Palm Hotel was hit by a missile strike. Others struggled to obtain updated flight information, including from tour operators and from Dubai-based Emirates, which suspended all flights to and from Dubai until at least Monday afternoon.
At the same time, airlines moved to manage demand and uncertainty. AP reported that Emirates suspended flights to and from Dubai until at least Monday afternoon. Air India suspended all flights to and from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar until Tuesday, and EL AL said it was preparing to fly home Israelis stranded abroad once the airspace reopened. EL AL also closed ticket sales for flights through March 21, AP reported, to prioritize stranded customers.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi officials also described injuries from strike impacts during the aviation shutdown. AP said Dubai International Airport officials reported four people were injured, while Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi said one person was killed and seven others were injured in a drone strike. Strikes also were reported at Kuwait International Airport, AP said, and Iran did not publicly claim responsibility.
Officials and analysts said the disruptions were spreading beyond immediate cancellations. Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, told AP it was difficult to calculate how many travelers were stranded worldwide, but it estimated that at least 90,000 people alone change flights daily in the airports in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi on just three airlines: Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways. Flight tracking and government reports cited by AP also said airspace or airports in Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates were closed.
The shutdown also affected departures and arrivals to and from other regions. AP said more than 2,800 flights were canceled Sunday to and from airports across the Middle East, including flights that remained open in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt, based on figures from FlightAware. AP also reported that international airports such as London, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangkok, Istanbul, Sri Lanka and Paris each reported dozens of flights canceled.
As airline timetables continued to change, travelers described uncertainty and attempts to build backup plans. In Dhaka, Bangladesh, AP quoted Mohammad Abdul Mannan in the crowd at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport saying he was not concerned about the war, but needed to get his flight to the Middle East to make a living. AP also quoted Louise Herrle and her husband as saying their flight to Washington was canceled while returning from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with no word on rescheduling.
Airlines urged passengers to check flight status online before heading to airports, AP reported. Some airlines issued waivers allowing affected travelers to rebook without extra fees or higher fares, while others offered full refunds.
Industry experts warned that delays and cancellations could persist as military flight operations evolve. AP quoted Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, saying “For travelers, there’s no way to sugarcoat this,” and adding that travelers should prepare for delays or cancellations for the next few days. AP also quoted Mike McCormick, a former U.S. official who oversaw air traffic control for the Federal Aviation Administration, saying countries might reopen their airspace once American and Israeli officials tell airlines where military flights are operating and how capable Iran remains at firing missiles.