Middle East Conflict Strands Thousands Across Doha, UAE, Dubai Airports

Rising tensions and military strikes in the Middle East have severely disrupted air travel through Qatar's Hamad International Airport and surrounding regional airspaces, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The conflict escalated after Iran launched a missile attack on the US Al-Udeid Air Base in Doha, prompting Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait to close their airspace, causing widespread flight cancellations and rerouting. Travelers, including first-time solo flyers and those bound for destinations like Singapore and Australia, have faced long delays, canceled flights, and limited accommodation options amid growing anxiety and uncertainty. Despite Qatar reopening its airspace shortly after the attacks, airline staff have struggled to manage the backlog and frustrated passengers, with some airports like Dubai experiencing fewer disruptions due to less extensive airspace closures. Authorities and airlines have issued travel alerts and refund information, but many passengers remain stranded with unclear timelines for resumption of regular flights. The situation highlights the fragility of global aviation networks in the face of geopolitical conflicts and the human impact on travelers caught in the crossfire.