Global air travel disruption worsened on Monday as ongoing U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran prompted retaliatory attacks by Iran across the Middle East. The escalating conflict forced major airport closures and stranded travelers worldwide, including many who were only transiting through the region.Governments rushed to assist citizens caught abroad after the crisis erupted over the weekend, throwing countless travel plans into disarray.Tourists, business travelers, and pilgrims were left unexpectedly stuck in hotels, airports, and aboard cruise ships, with little information on when airports would reopen or when flights to and through the Middle East would resume. Authorities advised stranded citizens to remain where they were and await further instructions.Major aviation hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha—key transit points linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas with Asia—remained closed after being directly struck by Iranian attacks, significantly worsening the global travel situation.
