Air raid sirens, makeshift beds in basements, and buses heading to unknown destinations these are now the grim realities for Australians who set out for dream holidays and instead found themselves stranded in a war zone.
The joint Israeli-US strikes on Iran over the weekend have thrown global aviation into turmoil, forcing widespread airspace closures across the Middle East, one of the world’s busiest travel routes. Aviation experts warn it could take weeks before normal flight operations resume, while others fear further attacks on airports remain possible.
Among the estimated 20,000 travellers stuck in the United Arab Emirates is Sydney woman Kelly Exner, whose journey took a frightening turn at Dubai International Airport. She had been en route to Milan when her flight was delayed indefinitely. Living with severe refractory Crohn’s disease and debilitating fatigue, she booked an airport hotel room to rest as the delay stretched on.
With all flights grounded and her condition worsening, Ms Exner was taken back to the hotel in a wheelchair. Exhausted, she fell asleep only to be jolted awake in the middle of the night while taking medication. A loud, violent bang echoed through the building. In that instant, she knew something was terribly wrong.
Her experience mirrors the fear and confusion gripping thousands of travellers now navigating a region transformed overnight by conflict. What began as routine stopovers or long‑planned holidays has become a desperate wait for safe passage home.
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