Summer journeys of UAE residents disrupted by flight cancellations due to Israel-Iran conflict
Unforeseen Travel Woes: Middle East Flight Dilemma
[Editor's Note: Hop aboard the KT live blog for real-time updates on the Israel-Iran standoff.]
The heated rivalry between Israel and Iran has caused a significant bump in travel plans for many, with airline routes between the UAE and Middle Eastern nations, including Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, and others, temporarily grounded. This travel chaos is turning the school summer holidays, set to begin in early July, into a anxious wait for numerous residents.
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A 44-year-old Abu Dhabi-based Jordanian housewife, Ola Salim, finds herself in a tight spot as her father-in-law, due to travel back to Amman, faces the possibility of extended visalessness.
"His Jordanian residency visa expires on June 15. If he doesn't enter the country, he might not be able to renew," she stated. Her father-in-law, a Palestinian with Lebanese documentation, has enjoyed Jordanian residency for many years, granted through his late Jordanian wife.
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"We are really worried about what would happen if he misses his entry tomorrow. We are waiting for my husband to come back in the afternoon and call the airlines," she added.
For others, the worry revolves around discovering how long this disruption will last. Sarah Ahmad, a 31-year-old Palestinian-Jordanian Canadian marketing manager working in the UAE, traveled to Amman last week to celebrate Eid with her family and is set to return to Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
"I'm flying back with Etihad; I came to Amman for one week only to celebrate Eid with the family," Sarah explained. She has not yet reached out to the airline for updates on her flight status, but she remains hopeful. "I'm hopeful that 'no message is a good message'," she quipped.
"I'm staying at the family home, so thank God I don't need to worry about accommodation if I need to remain here longer," she added. However, she is concerned about work. "I don't have my work laptop on me. I'll see if I can work remotely through another device or extend my leave days."
Some families are grappling with upended travel plans and the accompanying disappointment and stress, with children feeling let down and families feeling anxious.
A 42-year-old-Lebanese expat working in logistics in Dubai, Samir Khoury, saw his family vacation to Beirut jeopardized just days before the trip was set to commence.
"We were all packed and ready to go next week," he said. "The kids were so excited to see their grandparents. We haven't been to Lebanon since last summer. We have no idea as to how long this disruption will last."
Now, the whole family is swimming in a mix of disappointment and anxiety. "It's hard not knowing what will happen. We just want to be with family, especially during the summer holidays."
Flight Cancellations Pile Up
For some, the cancellations have left them feeling distraught and helpless, particularly those who haven't seen their loved ones in a prolonged period.
Ali Reza, a 39-year-old Iranian sales executive living in Dubai, had planned to fly to Tehran on June 14 to visit his elderly parents, but his flight was cancelled earlier this week.
"I haven't seen my family in over a year. I was counting down the days for this trip," Ali lamented. "Now, with the tensions and airspace issues, I don't know when I'll be able to go. I keep refreshing the airline's website, but there are no clear updates."
ALSO READ:
- 'Enough, already!': UAE expert calls for calm as Israel strikes Iran
- UAE condemns Israel's attack on Iran, urges diplomatic measures for ceasefire
- UAE airlines halt, suspend flights to 17 destinations following airspace closure
#### SM Ayaz ZakirSM Ayaz Zakir, a seasoned journalist with a penchant for extraordinary stories, has a knack for unravelling the most intriguing tales in his playground. @ayaz_zakir
#### Haneen DajaniHaneen Dajani, an accomplished reporter in Abu Dhabi with over 15 years of experience, captivates audiences with her insightful stories. @HaneenNews
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- The turbulent Israel-Iran relation has led to temporary flight cancellations between the UAE and various Middle Eastern countries, causing anxiety among residents who are planning summer travels.
- The School summer holidays, set to begin in early July, are now uncertain for many due to the grounded flights between the UAE and countries like Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, and others.
- Beyond the travel industry, this political unrest has a ripple effect on other sectors, with individuals like Ola Salim, a Jordanian housewife in Abu Dhabi, facing potential visa issues for her father-in-law.
- In the realm of business, the disruption caused by the airspace closure has forced some companies to reconsider their strategies to mitigate the impact, such as Sarah Ahmad, a marketing manager who is concerned about working remotely.
- The political tension isn't just catching the attention of the general-news audience, but also crime-and-justice-focused readers, as families like the Khourys grapple with canceled vacations and uncertainty about when they'll be able to reunite with their loved ones.
