Photos Show Airport Chaos As Iran Strikes Halt Flights

Cheema spent hours in line but managed to secure a hotel voucher — though he had yet to secure a room when talking with Business Insider. He said he did not have answers from Emirates on what’s next.

An Emirates spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Airlines are pivoting their operations in response to the strikes. Lufthansa Group said it is suspending flights to Beirut, Tel Aviv, Amman, Erbil, and Tehran until March 7.

“The following airspaces will also not be used until March 7: Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, and Iran,” the aviation corporation said. “In addition, Lufthansa Group airlines will suspend flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Dammam until March 1. Furthermore, the airspace of the United Arab Emirates will not be used until March 1.”

Passengers not in the region are still stuck as flights to the megahubs of Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi remain canceled through at least March 2.

The flights that diverted to places like Rome, Paris, Istanbul — and those that never took off — have left travelers far from home with uncertainty about when they’ll depart.

The Tribhuvan International Airport shared a passenger advisory on Saturday, saying international flights “may be subject to delay, rescheduling, or cancellations” due to airspace restrictions.

The airport told passengers flying with major airlines — including Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines — to coordinate with those companies to navigate travel issues.

Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad are the “Big 3” airlines of the Middle East and carry tens of thousands of passengers a day through their busy megahubs in Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.

The flight suspensions will have a significant impact on international travel.

Qatar’s Hamad International Airport said all aircraft movement has been temporarily suspended due to the country’s closed airspace.

“Our priority is always the safety of our passengers and employees. We are working closely with government stakeholders and airline partners to look after passengers that have been impacted,” the airport wrote in an advisory.

Flights heading to the Middle East were also canceled at London Gatwick Airport in England on Saturday.

A London Gatwick Airport spokesperson told Sky News it’s “expecting disruption to our Qatar and Emirates flights.”

The X account for the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India, said the ongoing conflict has disrupted some flight operations.

“Due to the evolving political situation in the Middle East, westbound international flights continue to experience disruptions and schedule changes,” the airport said on Sunday. “Passengers are advised to check the latest flight updates with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.”

Are you a stranded traveler with a story to share? Contact the reporters at [email protected] and [email protected] along with your preferred contact information.