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 due to escalating military action, and Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest aviation hub, suspended all flights on Saturday.
Martin Boreham, on holiday in Dubai with his wife, was due to take a British Airways flight back to Heathrow when the captain announced the airspace had been closed. After sitting on the tarmac for three hours, passengers were told to go back through immigration. “It’s carnage here,” he said. “British Airways told us to pick up our bags and wait for a text message, which seems a bit wishy-washy.” He added: “My biggest concern is we just don’t know when we’re going to get out. It could be Monday, it could be a week Monday.”
Media professional Elliot Worthing was flying home to Manchester from Doha on Qatar Airways but was diverted to Muscat, Oman, after Qatar’s airspace was shut. Passengers were told about the attacks once they landed. “It’s not the case of a delayed flight; it’s a case of an attack,” he said. He fears being stranded for several days: “I’ve got work on Monday. I’m thinking it’s going to be a long few days, possibly even a week.”
Jonny Escott, 30, who lives in Dubai, was scheduled to fly home on Emirates from Newcastle but found check-in closed. An Emirates staff member told him two flights might go out on Monday, but he said: “No one has a clue what will happen over the next few days.” He and his partner are staying with family in Hartlepool. British journalist Rosie Murray-West is stranded with her husband in Doha as missiles are intercepted above her.
