LONDON — The U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran is disrupting flights across the Middle East and beyond, as regional airspaces began closing and thousands of travelers across the globe were stranded.
Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar closed their airspace on Saturday. Airspace in southern Syria was also closed.
Planes that were en route to cities like Tel Aviv and Dubai early Saturday were diverted or returned to where they took off from.
Dubai International Airport alone — the world’s busiest airport for international flights — reported more than 700 inbound and outbound flights canceled. The airport’s operator said flights were halted indefinitely at Dubai International and Dubai World Central—Al Maktoum International Airport on the Gulf city’s outskirts.
The situation is changing quickly and airlines urged passengers to check their flight status online before heading to the airport.
Jonathan Escott and his fiance had arrived at the airport in Newcastle, England, only to find out that his direct flight to Dubai on Emirates airline was canceled, leaving everyone on the flight stuck there.
Escott left to go back to where he was staying with family, about an hour from the airport, but has no idea when he may be able to travel.
“No one knows,” Escott said. “No one really knows what’s going on with the conflic