Hundreds of Thousands Stranded as Middle East Conflict Escalates, Travelers Share Firsthand Accounts
Hundreds of thousands of individuals are currently stranded across the Middle East due to escalating conflict involving the U.S. and Israel’s military actions against Iran. Flight cancellations and airspace closures have left many travelers scrambling to find alternative arrangements.
In just a few days, the situation has intensified, particularly with military strikes in the Gulf states. These regions serve as crucial transit points for travelers heading to Europe, Africa, and Asia. Despite ongoing evacuation efforts, significant disruptions to air travel persist, affecting tourists, business travelers, and migrant workers alike.
Several travelers have shared their experiences during this tumultuous time.
A European Couple Stranded with Their Children
Viktoriia Lokhmatova, a resident of Serbia, and Michael Crepin, who lives in Belgium, traveled to Dubai with their children to celebrate a significant family milestone. This trip marked the first time their children—Lokhmatova’s 8-year-old daughter, Anny, and Crepin’s 13-year-old son, Gabriel—met in person, coinciding with their birthdays in February.
However, their plans quickly unraveled when their return flight was canceled due to regional airspace disruptions caused by the conflict. A subsequent rebooking was also canceled, forcing the family to seek alternative means to return home while incurring additional costs for an extended stay.
Lokhmatova noted that they spent nearly two days on the phone with the airline trying to secure another flight. During their search, they learned about a local initiative offering temporary accommodations to stranded travelers. They were provided a free one-night stay in an apartment managed by AraBnB Homes, a Dubai-based luxury rental company that opened its vacant units to those unable to leave the city.
This temporary arrangement allowed the family to regroup and plan the next steps of their extended trip. Throughout their stay, they occasionally heard explosions from air defense systems intercepting missiles or drones, but Crepin emphasized their efforts to remain calm for the children’s sake.
Despite the circumstances, the family felt safe and expressed gratitude for being together. They hope to leave Dubai on Saturday, with plans to travel to Istanbul before separating—Lokhmatova and Anny returning to Serbia and Crepin and Gabriel heading to Belgium.
Midflight Turnaround Impacts Tech Entrepreneur
Varun Krishnan, an entrepreneur from India running the technology business Fone Arena, experienced a sudden change in his travel plans while flying from Doha to Barcelona. Two hours into the flight, he realized the aircraft was not heading toward Spain as expected.
Krishnan was on the final leg of his journey to attend the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. He noted that something seemed off when he tracked the flight and noticed it was not on course. Just after breakfast was served, the captain announced that Baghdad airspace had been closed due to security concerns, prompting the aircraft to circle back toward the United Arab Emirates.
Despite the captain’s updates, passengers began to panic as emergency notifications sounded throughout the cabin. Upon landing back in Doha, Krishnan encountered long lines and a departure board filled with cancellations. He has been staying at a hotel since then and is still waiting for airlines to confirm when flights might resume.
US Tourists Stuck in Dubai
Louise Herrle, a retiree from Pittsburgh, and her husband found themselves stranded in Dubai while vacationing when the conflict erupted. They have faced multiple flight cancellations and are now scheduled to leave early Thursday morning, though uncertainty looms over whether that flight will also be canceled.
Herrle mentioned hearing fighter jets overhead and occasional explosions, describing the situation as “extremely stressful.” Despite the challenges, she has found camaraderie among fellow travelers, noting that the shared experience has brought people together.
Hong Kong Expat Recounts Search for Safety
Agnes Chen Pun, a Hong Kong expatriate who relocated to Dubai with her husband and their 1.5-year-old child last year, has been actively seeking safety amid rising tensions in the United Arab Emirates. The family has relocated twice—first to a resort in Fujairah and then to another near Sharjah—out of concern for potential attacks.
Chen expressed feelings of nervousness and anxiety during this period. She managed to secure commercial tickets to Singapore for $2,200 per person, although her departure remains uncertain. Despite the current turmoil, she intends to return to the UAE once the situation stabilizes, viewing it as an attractive place for living and working.
She stated that the fears surrounding the conflict are likely to be short-term, emphasizing that safety is currently the top priority. Chen plans to wait in Hong Kong until the conflict subsides, with the intention of returning to Dubai afterward.
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Published on 2026-03-05 20:04:00 • By Editorial Desk
