Aviation and travel specialist Alex Macheras has provided a sobering assessment of when flights operated by major carriers like Emirates, British Airways, and Qatar Airways might resume normal service following widespread airspace closures in the Middle East. The disruptions stem from recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which have led to the cancellation of nearly 40% of scheduled flights to the region, according to data firm Cirium.
Massive Passenger Stranding Across Key Hubs
The situation has left hundreds of thousands of travellers marooned, with Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi—collectively handling around 500,000 passengers daily—bearing the brunt of the chaos. Dubai International Airport, a critical global transit point processing over 200,000 passengers each day, has been particularly affected, exacerbating travel plans for those connecting between Europe and Asia.
Expert Analysis on Reopening Timelines
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Macheras emphasised that airspace will not reopen while there is ongoing military activity or the risk of future strikes. He stated that the aviation industry requires "hardline reassurance" that the situation has definitively ended before operations can resume, noting that such certainty is currently absent.
Macheras explained, "The uncertainty is there because they are unable to tell these passengers how, when or if they are going to be able to get them out as long as the skies remain closed." This has prompted discussions about alternative land routes through Saudi Arabia, which remains accessible.
Immediate Impacts and Passenger Advice
UK-based aviation consultant John Strickland highlighted that "hundreds of thousands of people" in Middle Eastern hub airports "weren't supposed to be there," leading to a scramble for seats on direct flights to and from Asia that are less susceptible to disruption.
For those yet to travel, airlines have introduced flexible refund policies. Macheras noted that passengers with upcoming journeys can refund bookings whether made directly with airlines, as part of packages, or through travel agents.
For the tens of thousands already stranded—with UK government estimates nearing 100,000—Macheras assured that states like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain are providing hospitality, including hotel accommodation and meals, to mitigate the crisis.
The broader outlook remains bleak, with Macheras concluding that normal flight operations are not imminent, urging travellers to stay informed and utilise available flexible arrangements while authorities navigate the volatile situation.
