Airline and travel industries scramble with fallout from Middle Eastern conflict

SYDNEY/LONDON/CHICAGO –

The airline and tourism industries are scrambling to deal with the fallout from the escalating U.S. and Israeli air war against Iran, while governments are rushing to bring stranded travelers home from the Middle East following the cancellation of more than 20,000 flights over a handful of days.

Major hubs in the Persian Gulf including Dubai, the world’s busiest international airport, remain closed or severely restricted for a fourth day, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded.

According to Flightradar24, some 21,300 flights have been cancelled at seven major airports including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi since the strikes started. The attacks have upended travel across a growing region with several thriving business hubs that is trying to diversify away from oil-dominated economies.