Air travel across the Middle East has been halted since Saturday due to ongoing airstrikes involving the United States, Israel, Iran, and retaliatory actions by the Islamic Republic. Among the stranded travelers is Raymond Grewal from Vancouver, who was returning from his honeymoon in the Maldives with a planned layover in Dubai. Despite initial expectations of a flight reroute, Grewal found himself stuck in Dubai for three days as tensions escalated, leading to rumors of airspace closures in the region. Hundreds of thousands of travelers are affected by the suspension of flights connecting through major airports in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, disrupting air traffic in the region.
Following missile and drone strikes targeting airports and luxury hotels in the Middle East over the weekend, more than 9,500 flights have been canceled since Saturday. While some airlines have resumed a limited number of flights by Monday night, the situation remains uncertain. Grewal and his wife are scheduled for a flight out of Dubai on Wednesday via Frankfurt, hoping for an earlier arrangement by Air Canada.
Dubai Airports announced a partial resumption of flights on Monday, with Emirates and FlyDubai initiating services to select destinations. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport confirmed partial operations, with Etihad Airways planning to resume commercial flights on Wednesday afternoon. Qatar’s airspace closure continues to impact flights through Hamad International Airport, while Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport is set to offer extremely limited service starting Tuesday, amidst ongoing security concerns.
Air Canada has suspended direct flight services to Dubai and Tel Aviv until March 23, offering flexible flight changes for affected passengers. In contrast, WestJet allows changes or cancellations for flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Jeddah without additional fees, with refunds for associated costs. Amid travel disruptions, travelers are advised to remain cautious of potential scams targeting stranded individuals seeking assistance on social media platforms from impersonating accounts. Airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways have issued warnings against fraudulent activities and advised customers to interact only through verified official channels.