Travellers stranded at major transit airports in the Middle East are slowly being rerouted and repatriated, but experts warn the disruption could last for weeks. The ongoing conflict in Iran has forced the closure of key airspace, grounding flights and leaving thousands of passengers stuck in hubs like Dubai and Doha.
Aviation experts say airlines are well-versed in handling disruptions, but the scale of the crisis in the Middle East is unprecedented. John Cox, a former airline pilot, noted that even a two- or three-day blizzard in the US typically takes four to five days to resolve. The current situation, however, involves multiple major hubs and limited alternative routes, making recovery far more complex.
Dubai International Airport, which handled over 95 million passengers in 2025, and Doha's Hamad International Airport, with 54 million passengers, have been closed for days. Some flights have resumed, such as an Emirates service to Sydney on Wednesday, but many airlines, including Qatar Airways and Etihad, remain suspended until at least Thursday.
Dr Ian Douglas, an aviation management expert, described the situation as “messy for the next month”. He highlighted the lack of spare aircraft and crews, and the enormous costs involved, including crew accommodation, aircraft leasing fees, and passenger care. “You’re talking millions of dollars an hour in fares that are not happening,” he said.
Airlines are exploring alternative routes, such as Qantas adding a fuel stop in Singapore to carry extra passengers. However, with limited options and high demand, the backlog of stranded travellers is expected to take weeks to clear.
