Singapore-bound travellers stranded as Middle East airspace closures ripple through Doha and Dubai

SINGAPORE: Thousands of travellers, including many headed to or returning from Singapore remain stranded at major Middle Eastern transit hubs — flight delays and cancellations continue to plague Doha’s Hamad International Airport and Dubai International Airport, two of the busiest in the world.

The disruption follows a sudden closure of airspace by Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to rising regional tensions after Iran’s missile strike on a US military base in Doha earlier this week.

Long waits, little clarity

At Hamad International, Singapore-bound travellers described long queues and scant updates on alternative arrangements. Some reported not being provided any accommodation, adding to frustrations amid the chaos.

Meanwhile, Dubai International Airport — which handled over 92 million passengers in 2024 — saw a backlog of delays even after briefly resuming operations. According to FlightRadar24, more than 145 flights were cancelled and over 450 were delayed on Tuesday alone, Reuters reported.

Ripple effects of a tense region

The closures of airspace by Gulf countries, announced late Monday, have thrown air traffic into disarray. These air corridors are vital for routes between Europe and Asia, making hubs like Dubai and Doha especially vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions.

Qatar Airways has said it is working to restore its flight schedules but cautioned that “delays and diversions may continue through Thursday”. Dubai authorities similarly warned of ongoing disruptions despite the resumption of most services.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue a specific advisory on transits through Doha or Dubai, but officials are closely monitoring the situation.

MFA urges caution amid conflict

In a statement at Changi Airport, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim urged Singaporeans to postpone non-essential travel to Middle Eastern areas affected by the escalating conflict. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has advised citizens to stay updated on official travel advisories and register with the MFA’s eRegister system when travelling to high-risk regions.

As of Wednesday night, Singapore-bound flights from both Doha and Dubai remained subject to change. Travellers are advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport and to factor in additional travel time if planning layovers in affected cities.

While regional governments and airport operators scramble to decongest terminals and resume schedules, the incident has once again highlighted the vulnerabilities of global aviation to geopolitical flashpoints.