Global Flight Chaos: Thousands Stranded After Strikes on Iran
Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, approximately 3,000 flights have been cancelled globally due to airspace closures in the Middle East. Passengers are currently stranded in various locations including Australia, Brazil, and the Maldives as airlines suspend operations to major hubs like Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Doha. Major carriers such as Etihad and Qatar Airways are repositioning aircraft from cities like London and Singapore while Israeli airline El Al prioritizes returning ticket holders home. Airlines have issued waivers for affected destinations, though the timeline for airspace reopening remains unclear as of Sunday morning. The State Department has not yet commented on specific plans, but extra flights may be added once restrictions lift to accommodate demand.