Hundreds of Thousands Stranded
Hundreds of thousands of travelers are stranded across the Middle East after conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran led to widespread airspace closures. Airports from Dubai to Tehran have suspended operations, with flights rerouted or canceled entirely as passengers scramble to rebook. The U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution urging American citizens abroad to remain vigilant and enroll in STEP for updates.
The initial U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," and the subsequent death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggered widespread retaliatory strikes from Iran. These retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeted not just military sites but also major civilian infrastructure across the Gulf. A wide corridor of airspace over the Middle East is now a virtual no-fly zone. Countries with full or partial airspace closures include Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, and Jordan, paralyzing the world's primary aerial bridge between the West and Asia. The disruption is among the most significant to global air transport since the COVID-19 pandemic. By Sunday, over 2,400 flights had been canceled, with some estimates putting the total number of cancellations since the conflict began at over 7,000. The three major Gulf carriers—Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad—typically handle about 90,000 transit passengers daily, giving a sense of the scale of the stranding. Key international hubs sustained direct damage. Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world's busiest, was hit by a drone, as were airports in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. In Abu Dhabi, the strike resulted in at least one death and multiple injuries. Civilian areas, including Dubai's Burj Al Arab hotel and the Fairmont Hotel, were also reportedly struck. The economic fallout has been swift, with airline stocks plunging in European and Asian markets. Airlines face spiking oil prices and soaring operational costs, as rerouted flights must take longer paths over Saudi Arabia or Africa, adding hours and significant fuel expenses to each trip. Major international carriers have suspended routes to the region for days. Lufthansa has halted flights to some Middle Eastern cities through March 8th, while Emirates and Etihad have suspended all flights from their hub airports. The disruption has global reach, with flight cancellations reported from India to South Africa and beyond. In response to the crisis, several governments are making contingency plans. The UK is preparing for one of its largest-ever evacuations, with more than 76,000 British citizens registered in the affected areas. Meanwhile, the UAE has announced it will cover the food and accommodation costs for travelers left stranded in the country.
