Airports in the Persian Gulf Emirates
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
PU
Hi,

Right now, with the war raging in Iran and affecting all the neighboring countries of the Persian Gulf, many airports are completely closed to all traffic.

Several airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, and others have almost completely halted their operations.

Whether in the Middle East or Africa, many travelers are stranded—maybe for a long time... A heartfelt thought for them and the struggles this will cause.

Four months ago, I was in Kenya with a flight booked through Qatar Airways... I can’t even imagine how I’d react if I were stuck there now. ??

Wishing all these travelers courage, patience, and success in making it back home.

...

Doha Airport on October 21, 2025:



...
ER Erjome Globetrotter ·
Hi Alain,

It’ll definitely take quite some time for these major hubs to get back to their usual activity. Thousands of passengers and countless planes and crews are stranded all over the world. I’m particularly keeping an eye on the situation because I have a Qatar Airways flight booked for March 21st to Sydney. The flight I was supposed to take from Barcelona found out about the airspace closure while flying over Tunisia and had to turn back to Barcelona.



There are tons of similar cases, including flights from the U.S. that landed in Europe while waiting for the situation to improve. It’s a massive mess that airlines will have to deal with, and there’s no doubt it’ll take time. The worst part is the transit passengers who are stuck in the middle of a war, along with all the people who live there or were traveling for work or tourism.

Airlines involved (Kuwait Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar, Etihad, and Emirates) are set to provide an update tomorrow. Qatar has already implemented this protocol:

Qatar Airways to allow refund for next 7 days as flights remain suspended | The Peninsula Qatar

Check for frequent updates on X.
FR FrançoiseVec Regular ·
Good evening, Hope things calm down quickly, first and foremost for the residents of the affected countries, but also (selfishly) for us since we're currently in Vietnam and flying back on the 18th with Qatar. Fingers crossed!! Françoise
KA Kate Globetrotter ·
Hi Alain

Four months ago, I was in Kenya with a trip booked on Qatar Airways.... I can’t even imagine how I’d react if I were stuck there now. ??b

Being stuck in Kenya wouldn’t be too much of a punishment for me On the other hand, knowing I was in transit in Doha just a month ago, I’d have totally freaked out at the idea of being stuck at the airport 🏴‍☠️

Good luck to anyone going through this situation!
MA Mathews Globetrotter ·
I can't even imagine being stuck there now—how would I react? ??

Hey there, That’s why you should always pack: * Cans of cassoulet, pilchards, dry biscuits... * For reading, a book by Immanuel Kant—it’ll be enough to keep you entertained. * A super-lightweight foam mattress (easily foldable) or, even better, an inflatable mattress for sleeping in the airport. * A razor and shaving foam for the guys. * A toothbrush. * Super important: an eye mask to help you sleep. * Optionally, an inflatable neck pillow. * A mini Esbit stove with fuel cubes.

I almost recommended a gas stove, but that probably wouldn’t fly with the airlines, ha ha hee hee 😉
ER Erjome Globetrotter ·
Info for people stranded in Abu Dhabi

MA Mathews Globetrotter ·
if you're planning a trip to Asia, it's strongly recommended to postpone your travel for now. Right now, the Middle East is heating up as I'm writing this. You’ve been warned.
ER Erjome Globetrotter ·
To be continued...👀

NT NTO Regular ·
Hi there,

A reminder for all French travelers:

It’s important for everyone to register at:

https://fildariane.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fildariane-internet/se-connecter
VI VinceAndorra Regular ·
*like a book, plan on bringing a book by Emmanuel Kant—it’ll be enough to keep you entertained.

And don’t forget to watch the movie *The Terminal* before you go.

Enjoy your forced layover.
ER Erjome Globetrotter ·
France is starting to repatriate citizens with this special AF flight from Oman.

PI Pierlu Regular ·
A heartfelt thought for them and for the hassles this is going to cause

Thanks.

I’m currently in Yunnan and about to enter Laos in a few days. I’ve got a flight back home in mid-April from Bangkok with... Qatar.

If the situation drags on, with my Visa card, I think I can hold out for a few months under the coconut trees. Maybe even until my card expires in 2028. 😉

PS: I’m flagging for the mods that it’s almost always impossible to connect to VF from China, VPN or no VPN.
MA Mathews Globetrotter ·
With a return flight home in mid-April from Bangkok with ... Qatar.

Hi there, make sure to check frequently that your flight is properly insured. Due to the rising cost of oil and therefore fuel, your flight could simply be canceled. Because if fuel prices stay quite high due to the geopolitical situation, the airline here—Qatar Airways—risks losing money. Let’s say you paid 800 € for a round-trip when everything was fine, but it actually costs the airline 1200 € per passenger to operate the flights—they’re losing money.
ER Erjome Globetrotter ·
Hello Mathews,

Maybe I’m just unaware, but I’ve never heard of or read about a flight being canceled—whether before departure or once at the destination—due to a fuel price increase.
MA Mathews Globetrotter ·
Hello Erjome, ok, totally agree.

However, we shouldn’t rule out the possibility that the airline might charge a fuel surcharge.

Watch out for soaring consumer prices—at restaurants, supermarkets... and obviously in Southeast Asian countries too if the geopolitical crisis continues 🙁
ER Erjome Globetrotter ·
ok totally agree

Okay, I understand better now.

However, we shouldn’t rule out the possibility that the airline might charge a fuel surcharge.

True, but that’s at ticket issuance and it’s included in the total amount given. No readjustment afterward. Otherwise, why not the dollar exchange rate too, since oil is priced in dollars.
PA Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·
Yes, once the ticket is issued and paid for, the price can't be changed anymore—the airline will just profit from tickets sold afterward. The only thing they can do is cancel the flight and therefore offer a full refund.
ER Erjome Globetrotter ·
Hey Patrick,

The only thing she can do is cancel the flight and therefore offer a full refund.

Unless I get incredibly lucky or there’s some kind of miracle, this is what’s likely gonna happen with my Qatar flight on 21/3 😢
PA Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·
Things might calm down by the 21st—some flights are resuming to Abu Dhabi. I’m leaving on April 28th with Saudia. For now, they’re operating their flights except for the Gulf, of course. Stay tuned...
ER Erjome Globetrotter ·
By the 21st it might calm down

It’ll probably take some time for all the planes around the world to get back, for them to manage staff, for everyone stranded to leave, and for the hub to restart. Unless there’s a miracle, I’m preparing to forget about Australia—buying a last-minute ticket costs an arm and a leg, especially since I planned an itinerary entering Sydney and exiting Adelaide. Qatar Airways will update tomorrow morning 🤞 Plan B is to head back to South Korea where flight prices are still reasonable and enjoy the cherry blossoms. Could be worse for a Plan B, especially since I really love South Korea.

some flights are resuming in Abu Dhabi

I’m stopping there in September and even planned a week-long stopover.

I’m leaving on April 28th but with Saudia, for now they’re operating their flights except for the Gulf of course, to be continued...

With Saudia you’re good. Are you heading back to China?

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