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

Amid widespread travel disruptions in the Middle East due to the US-Israeli war on Iran, the United Arab Emirates has resumed a limited number of flights. Dubai's airport authority authorized a small number of flights from Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central Airport, prioritizing passengers with confirmed departure times. Emirates announced a limited resumption of flights, prioritizing existing bookings. Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, is suspending commercial flights until Wednesday, but some cargo and repatriation flights may operate. Flight tracking data shows some Etihad and Emirates flights have departed, while others have been diverted. Experts note that conflict-driven disruptions in the region can severely impact major east-west travel corridors.

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.

Global air travel is experiencing major disruptions due to the US-Israel war on Iran, resulting in thousands of cancelled flights and stranded passengers worldwide. Major Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai, have been closed for multiple days, causing significant aviation shock. As of Monday, over 1,200 flights were cancelled, adding to the nearly 6,000 cancellations from the weekend. Airlines like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have suspended numerous services, and Air India cancelled flights to Europe and North America. The airspace over several Middle Eastern countries remains largely empty, impacting flights from Bali to Frankfurt. The conflict's spread to Lebanon has further complicated the situation, with airspace closures and airport restrictions expected to cause continued delays and cancellations.