Air travel across the Middle East has ground to a halt as Iran retaliated against US/Israel strikes, triggering widespread flight cancellations and stranding thousands. Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways – carriers moving 90,000 daily transit passengers – suspended operations after their home countries closed airspace. Passengers endured hours-long delays, like Jaiveer Cheema stuck on a Dubai flight for five hours without food before being deplaned into chaotic terminals.

The crisis rippled globally as airlines canceled flights to and from the region, diverting planes mid-journey and leaving travelers stranded far from home. Lufthansa joined the suspensions, halting flights to Beirut, Tel Aviv, and Tehran until March 7. This disruption threatens to cascade worldwide if operations don’t resume soon, straining airlines’ resources and passenger trust.