Koreans Stranded in the Middle East... Traveling by Bus to Oman and Returning to Korea via Southeast Asia [US Airstrikes on Iran]

Korean Air Cancels Dubai Flights Until the 5th

Overland Routes to Oman’s Muscat Airport Shared

Entering Korea via Bangkok and Malaysia

A housewife surnamed Kim (47), who traveled to Dubai with her child, said, "We were scheduled to return to Korea on an early morning flight on the 2nd, but with the airport closed, we have been stuck in Dubai for over a week. My son's middle school entrance ceremony was supposed to be on the 3rd, but now he won't be able to attend school."

Yonhap News Agency

As the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, major airports in the Middle East, including Dubai International Airport, have been closing one after another. Tourists and local residents who were about to return to Korea from these airports are growing increasingly anxious.

According to Korean associations in Egypt and Qatar on the 3rd, inquiries about the local situation and information on returning to Korea continue to pour in to local Korean embassies and Korean associations as this situation persists.

Korean Air, which operates round-trip flights between Incheon International Airport and Dubai, announced, "Due to restricted airspace caused by instability in the Middle East, flights between Incheon and Dubai have been canceled through March 5. The operation schedule after the 6th will be determined depending on further developments."

Not only Korean airlines but also Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways have suspended their services, causing continued inconvenience for affected residents. EgyptAir has announced a temporary suspension of 13 routes in the Middle East. The indefinite closure of Dubai International Airport, the largest hub in the Middle East, has left more than 20,000 passengers stranded, according to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.

Locally in Dubai, information on traveling overland to Muscat Airport in Oman is being actively shared, as passengers can enter Korea by transiting through Southeast Asian countries such as Bangkok or Malaysia from Muscat Airport.

In response, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Egypt, the Embassy in Qatar, and others are sharing emergency contact networks and announcing safety guidelines to protect Korean tourists and residents. The Embassy in Qatar stated, "As Iran's airstrikes on Qatar using missiles and drones may continue for several days, we urge Koreans in Qatar to exercise special caution and do their utmost to stay safe. Please refrain from going outside except for essential activities, such as purchasing necessities."

Flames and smoke billow from the Palm Jumeirah, a landmark of Dubai. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

However, some flights operated by European and Chinese airlines, which are operating normally except for Middle Eastern carriers, are still available. Tourists planning to return are advised to check with airlines in advance to confirm flight operations.

On February 28 (local time), the United States and Israel conducted a military operation against Iran, eliminating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Iran's retaliation has resulted in casualties, and chaos continues to spread throughout the Middle East, including incidents such as fire breaking out when drone debris hit a luxury hotel in Dubai.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.