Emirates has begun returning stranded travelers as Dubai airport reopened after a three-day shutdown, with flights to the UK, France and Germany. Etihad operated limited services from Abu Dhabi, while Qatar Airways remains grounded. The crisis follows airspace closures after US-Israel strikes on Iran, leaving thousands stranded across the region.

Governments scramble to assist citizens: Italy has dispatched teams to help evacuate 70,000 Italian citizens, while France prepares charter flights for the most vulnerable among its 400,000 citizens in the Middle East. The US embassy warned Americans of "very limited" options, suggesting shuttle buses to Egypt as an alternative route.

Market impacts include charter jet prices doubling previous levels and Gulf businesses instructing employees to work from home. More than 1 million passengers globally have been affected by over 10,000 flight cancellations, with Virgin reporting unusually busy India services and some airlines rerouting passengers through direct Asia-Europe routes.