More than 3,400 flights have been cancelled in the first few days of the escalating Middle East conflict, leaving an estimated 300,000 passengers stranded across the Gulf region, reports Al Jazeera.
According to flight-tracking data, major regional airports — including Dubai International Airport, Sharjah International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Hamad International Airport — have suspended operations. In total, six to seven key airports across the region were shut down as airspace closures continue.
Airspace over large parts of the Gulf remains restricted, causing widespread disruption to global air travel. Middle Eastern hubs serve as vital transit points linking Europe, Asia and Africa, and their closure has created a domino effect across international flight routes.
Reports indicate that the United Kingdom is sending assistance teams to help evacuate stranded citizens.
Social media platforms are flooded with posts from passengers stuck at Hamad International Airport, Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport. Travellers described long queues to rebook flights, secure hotel accommodation or obtain assistance, with many forced to sleep inside terminals.
Airlines are struggling to manage the backlog as uncertainty continues over when normal operations will resume. Aviation analysts warn that prolonged airspace closures could severely impact tourism, business travel and cargo operations, further straining the global economy.
As long as the regional airspace remains closed and hostilities persist, thousands of passengers are expected to remain in limbo.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
