Thirty-five Belgian tourists have been left stranded in Phuket, Thailand, after escalating tensions involving Iran triggered airspace closures across parts of the Middle East, leading to the cancellation of their return flight via Dubai.
The group was due to depart Phuket late on 28 February on an Emirates flight connecting through Dubai before continuing to Belgium. However, after arriving at the airport hours in advance, passengers were informed that their flight — along with all departures to Dubai — had been abruptly cancelled. The disruption follows military strikes involving the United States and Israel against Iran, and subsequent retaliatory actions that have impacted regional aviation, including reported drone activity near Dubai airport.
Among those affected are families with children and elderly travellers. Two tourists from the Liège region described confusion and a lack of immediate assistance at the airport, claiming passengers were initially told to contact the airline via QR code or phone. Limited water was reportedly distributed late in the evening before airport staff left, leaving the group without clear accommodation arrangements.
The stranded travellers were ultimately rehoused in two Phuket hotels thanks to intervention by their travel agency, Connections. For now, the group remains in Thailand awaiting further information about their return to Belgium.