Passengers stranded as flights cancelled, delayed amid Israel-Iran war

Australia Broadcast Center

24-06-2025

Stranded passengers have faced chaos and uncertainty while waiting for flights, either delayed or cancelled, due to the Middle East conflict.
Routes to major cities across the world have already been cut off, including in Qatar's capital of Doha along with Dubai.
Dubai Airports said operations had resumed after a brief suspension but is warning of further delays and cancellations, while Qatar's civil aviation authority said it had also reopened its airspace.
Meanwhile, travellers in the air, in transit and waiting to board long-haul flights have reached out to the ABC, desperate for clarity as conflicting information spreads online and in terminals.
Some passengers reported being diverted mid-air, while others were stuck on the ground in limbo.
By Tuesday afternoon, DFAT had not issued any updated advice since the airspace reopened.
While the head of the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) expected some flights to the gulf countries to be cancelled today, he said the worst thing travellers could do was cancel their own flights.
"That means you limit the number of things that an airline can … provide in terms of refunds," CEO Dean Long said.
"If [passengers] are flying out today or in the next 48 hours, they will be contacted by their travel agent or airline if their flight has been cancelled."
Mr Long said the most important thing was for travellers to stay calm. He said if they hadn't been contacted by their agent or airline within the next 24 hours, they should try to get in touch themselves.
"Be aware that their call centres are experiencing long delay times … we may not necessarily have the answer at this time," he said.
Mr Long also said people should contact their travel agency about what sort of emergency accommodation is available to them.
"If they are nervous, book an extra night's accommodation where you are to give you that certainly that you will have a place to stay, and most of the time, you will be able to claim that with your travel insurance."
Compare Travel Insurance managing director Natalie Bell said passengers should also pay attention to Smartraveller and speak with their insurer about any concerns they have regarding their destination.
"Stay in contact with your booking agent or travel provider and make sure you know what options are available to you. Insurers will also typically assess claims on a case-by-case basis, taking individual circumstances into account, so get in touch if you have any queries," she said.
Conflicting reports about cancellations and delays left many passengers at airports unsure of what to believe.
An Adelaide nurse stranded at Doha's Hamad International Airport said the experience had been "surreal" after an air-strike hit a US military base about 50 kilometres from the terminal.
Amanda Tate had just wrapped up a conference in Italy and was preparing to fly home when the incident unfolded.
"We started looking on the internet and seeing there had been some missiles launched. At that time we didn't know what had happened," she said.
She found a quiet space in the airport and was huddled there with four others.
"We're like family now," she said.
She described a tense atmosphere, with many travellers afraid to leave the airport. She said there were long queues at airline counters and little information about what was happening, or when flights would resume.
"He looked completely discombobulated. And another young girl was crying."
Polly Robinson was en route to Adelaide when her journey was disrupted by a sudden airspace closure, reportedly linked to restrictions imposed by the Qatari government.
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast from Hamad International Airport, she described the confusion and frustration felt by many passengers.
"Everyone is literally sitting where they can find a spot and waiting for any of the announcements," she said.
"I flew in from Dublin and my flight was on the ground for 40 minutes. I was going through security when it happened. No announcements. Nothing."
She said travellers had received credit loaded onto their boarding passes but had heard nothing from airline staff.
Damian Milverton, an Australian expat who travelled from Paris to Doha for work, was leading a workshop when Iranian rockets zipped overhead.
"It was initially a very large sound and then everyone was like, 'What was that?' We did not immediately think, 'dive under tables, we are under attack'. It was more a case of bewilderment," he told ABC News Breakfast.