Abu Dhabi & Dubai Skies Shut Down: 5 Reasons Iran's Crisis Closed Middle East Airports and Left 20,000 Korean Tourists Stranded
U.S.-Israel airstrikes on Iran (Feb. 28) killed Supreme Leader Khamenei and triggered the closure of major airports in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. With Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways suspending all flights, hundreds of Korean tourists found themselves stranded with no way home, while 57 Koreans in Israel set out on a land evacuation to Egypt.
The skies over the Middle East have effectively come to a standstill. Korean tourists who had just finished their package tours and were waiting to board their flights home suddenly found themselves stranded — with no warning, the airports closed.
TL;DR
- February 28, 2026: The U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran; Supreme Leader Khamenei died just 15 hours into the strikes
- Iran's retaliatory missiles and drones triggered a chain closure of major airports across the Arabian Peninsula — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh
- Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways suspended all flights indefinitely; Korean Air flight KE951 turned back over Myanmar
- According to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, over 20,000 passengers are currently stranded
- 60 Koreans are in Iran, 600 in Israel; 57 Koreans in Israel are set to evacuate overland to Egypt on March 3
The Facts: What Happened
The Strikes Begin — and Khamenei Dies
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran, citing the collapse of Iran nuclear negotiations. Just 15 hours into the assault, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (86) was killed. Iran's state broadcaster officially announced his death on March 1. Khamenei had ruled Iran for 37 years since 1989, and his death is sending shockwaves through the geopolitical landscape of the entire Middle East.
Iran's Retaliation and the Domino Airport Closures
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) immediately struck back with missiles and drones. A drone struck Abu Dhabi International Airport in the UAE, injuring four employees; near the airport, one person was killed by interceptor shrapnel. Kuwait and Bahrain's airports followed with closures in quick succession. Dubai International Airport — the world's busiest hub by passenger volume — was also completely shut down.
Why It Spread So Fast: 5 Reasons
1. Middle East Hub Airlines Went Down Together
Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways all operate out of Middle Eastern hubs. When all three carriers simultaneously suspended operations, passengers worldwide who had been relying on these airlines for connections were left stranded in a chain reaction. According to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, over 20,000 passengers are currently stranded.
2. Korean Air's Sole Incheon–Dubai Route Turned Back
Korean Air was the only domestic carrier operating the Incheon–Dubai route (7 flights per week). Flight KE951, which departed Incheon at 1:13 PM on February 28, received news of the UAE airspace closure and made an emergency U-turn over Myanmar. The return flight KE952 from Dubai was also cancelled.
3. Transit Hubs Vanished — and So Did the Route Home
Many Korean tourists traveling through North Africa (Egypt) and the Middle East had planned to return to Incheon via Dubai or Abu Dhabi. With those transit airports closing simultaneously, the return route simply ceased to exist. Any extra accommodation costs after the end of the package tour fell entirely on the travelers themselves.
Who Is Affected
Korean Tourists in the Middle East
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are currently over 60 Koreans in Iran and 600 in Israel. Adding in Koreans stranded while traveling in nearby countries — Egypt, Jordan, Israel — hundreds more are uncertain about when or how they can return. The Korean Association in Egypt and the Korean Embassy in Cairo are fielding a constant stream of inquiries about how to get home.
Emergency Evacuation of Koreans in Israel
As missile strike threats against Israel intensify, 57 Koreans — including Korean Embassy staff in Israel — are scheduled to cross the Taba border in southern Israel into Egypt on March 3. The Korean Embassy in Egypt has dispatched a consular officer to assist with entry procedures and transportation.
The Korean Government's Response
President Lee Jae-myung posted on social media on March 1: "The cabinet, including Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, is fully prepared across all areas — the real economy, finance, and military security." Prime Minister Kim Min-seok convened an "Emergency Inter-Agency Meeting on the Middle East Situation" and ordered the foreign affairs and security crisis response system to operate 24 hours a day.
How Long Will This Last?
| Scenario | Expected Airspace Reopening | Key Variable |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term ceasefire | 72 hours – 1 week | Whether U.S.-Iran diplomatic channels are activated |
| Prolonged conflict | 1 month or more | Iran's new leadership pursuing hardline policy |
| Regional escalation | Indefinite | Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi forces joining the conflict |
U.S. President Trump has said he "will talk to Iran's new leadership," but the IRGC is boasting of striking "4 U.S. aircraft carriers" and signaling its intent to retaliate further. If a hardline successor takes power in Iran, a prolonged crisis becomes highly likely.
Checklist: What to Do Right Now
Secondary Issues: Downstream Debates
A surge in airline refund disputes is expected. If carriers invoke Force Majeure, there may be cases where refunds are refused outright. The crisis has also drawn criticism that Korea's aviation network is dangerously over-reliant on Middle Eastern hub airports. A renewed debate is expected about diversifying Incheon Airport's alternative transit routes — via Europe or India.
Reference Links
- The Hankyoreh — President Lee on Iran crisis: "Cabinet, including PM Kim, fully prepared during state visit"
- Yonhap News — Stranded in the Middle East: Korean tourists ask 'How do we get home?'
- Aju Business Daily — Middle East airports closing one by one... what will stranded Korean tourists do?
- MK News — 'Package tour is done, now they want extra fees'... Korean tourists stranded in Middle East
- Wikitree — Empty skies over the Middle East... flights cancelled, Koreans scramble to evacuate and return
Image Credit
- Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport Terminal: Wikimedia Commons (Abu Dhabi International Airport)
⚠️ Image note: Due to the absence of a file upload tool for the Files property, the representative image could not be attached as a property. The airport image URL has been embedded at the top of the article as an alternative. The official airport image is available on Wikimedia Commons.