Relief, joy as first flight back from Dubai brings stranded Hongkongers home

The first flight from Dubai to Hong Kong since recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran landed Wednesday evening, bringing relief to stranded travelers. Dubai's airports had been closed following Iranian retaliation targeting US military bases in the UAE and other Gulf countries. Emirates flight EK380 was the first to arrive after Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport resumed limited operations. Passengers, including jockey Karis Teetan and his family, expressed joy at returning home after multiple flight cancellations and rebookings. Teetan reported hearing missiles in Dubai and remaining indoors for safety during the conflict.

Following escalating US and Israeli air strikes against Iran in early March 2026, over 20,000 flights have been cancelled, stranding tens of thousands of passengers in the Middle East. Major Gulf hubs, including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, have been closed or severely restricted for days, disrupting travel and cargo operations. Airlines such as Emirates, flydubai, and Etihad are operating limited flights primarily to repatriate stranded passengers. Governments are urging citizens to leave the region and arranging repatriation flights amidst airspace closures and restrictions. The conflict is expected to cost the Middle East billions in tourism dollars and significantly impact global air travel routes.

Tens of thousands of people are stranded in the Middle East in March 2026 due to the ongoing Iran war. The conflict has led to the cancellation of major airline flights and the closure of airspace across the Gulf region. Those affected include tourists, religious pilgrims from Romania, and family members of diplomats. People are stuck in various locations, with some being evacuated from Israel via Egypt. Airports in places like Romania and the Philippines are experiencing disruptions as people await updates on cancelled flights.

The US State Department has urged American citizens to immediately leave most of the Middle East due to escalating conflict between the US/Israel and Iran. This warning encompasses Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The US is not currently organizing evacuations, leaving citizens to depart via commercial means, though many flights are cancelled. Other countries are also responding, with France offering potential flights for at-risk citizens and the UK urging registration of its nationals in the region to provide support. Hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals are estimated to be in the Middle East, including tourists and business travelers.

On Monday, March 2, 2026, global air travel faced significant disruptions due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, involving U.S.-Israel strikes and Iranian retaliation. Airports in major transit hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha closed after being directly hit by Iranian strikes, stranding tourists, business travelers, and religious pilgrims. Governments worldwide are working to assist their citizens in returning home amidst the uncertainty surrounding airport reopenings and flight resumptions. Gulf carriers are resuming some flights, even as the conflict continues to fuel travel chaos. Travelers are advised to shelter in place while awaiting updates.

The Australian government is warning of "serious" travel disruptions in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel. Approximately 115,000 Australians are currently in the region, and the government has not yet committed to repatriation flights. Major airlines like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have suspended operations, impacting travel through key hubs in Qatar, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, some of which sustained damage. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong stated that airspace closures will affect many Australians and that the government's ability to assist those stranded is limited. Travelers are advised to prepare for significant delays and cancellations.