Thousands of Britons have been left stranded in the Middle East after global airlines grounded hundreds of flights due to US and Israeli strikes against Iran. Iran and Iraq's airspaces were closed, and Dubai International Airport suspended all flights on Saturday.
Martin Boreham, on holiday in Dubai with his wife, was due to fly back to Heathrow on British Airways when the captain announced the airspace was closed. After sitting on the tarmac for three hours, passengers were told to go through immigration and await a text message. “It’s carnage here,” he said.
Elliot Worthing, flying from Doha to Manchester on Qatar Airways, was diverted to Muscat, Oman. Passengers were informed of the attacks after landing and taken to a hotel. “It’s not the case of a delayed flight. It’s a case of an attack,” he said, fearing he could be stranded for days.
Jonny Escott, 30, was due to fly from Newcastle to Dubai on Emirates but found check-in closed. The flight was cancelled, and he returned to family in Hartlepool. “No one has a clue what’s going to happen next,” he said.
British journalist Rosie Murray-West is stranded in Doha with her husband as missiles are intercepted above the city. The situation remains chaotic, with no clear timeline for when flights might resume.
