With Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates paralyzed by the fallout from military clashes among the United States, Israel, and Iran, 95 Korean tourists who had been stranded there will return home one after another starting the afternoon of the 5th.

While tourists in other Middle Eastern regions such as Cairo, Egypt, are also said to have secured alternative flights home, the return schedule remains uncertain for more than 370 Korean tourists staying in Dubai who have yet to find flights.

As the United States and Israel carry out airstrikes on Iran, major airports across the Middle East, including Dubai International Airport, close one after another, while on the 2nd flights from Incheon International Airport to Dubai face uncertainty over operations amid rising regional tensions. Korean Air Lines decides to cancel flights KE951 and KE952 departing from Incheon and Dubai, respectively, through the day. /Courtesy of News1

According to the travel industry on the 5th, as of the previous day, there were around 500 package tourists from major travel agencies staying in Dubai. By agency: ▲Hanatour about 150 ▲Modetour Network about 190 ▲Yellow Balloon Tour about 70 ▲Very Good Tour about 70.

Of these, 40 Hanatour package tourists left Dubai the previous day and are scheduled to arrive at Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 5th via a layover in Taipei, Taiwan. Modetour Network also reportedly put 39 tourists on an alternative flight returning via Taipei early that morning. After arriving in Taipei, they will transfer to a Korean Air Lines flight and are expected to arrive in Incheon that night.

Some Very Good Tour tourists also got out of Dubai. The previous day, 16 tourists boarded flights to Hanoi, Vietnam, and Taipei, Taiwan. Another 15 tourists are scheduled to return home on the morning of the 6th via Taipei and Guangzhou, China.

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, is currently closed. Air transport conditions in other Middle Eastern regions are also said to be unfavorable. However, hundreds of tourists staying in some countries, including Cairo, are on their way home.

In this situation, if the package tour groups return as scheduled, the number of package tourists remaining in Dubai is estimated at about 370. In particular, as the Dubai–Incheon nonstop flight on Emirates that was scheduled to depart early that morning was canceled, travel agencies are finding it difficult to secure alternative flights.

Dubai International Airport announced on its website that, as of the 2nd local time, only a small number of flights would operate on a limited basis. The airport advised, "As flight schedules may change, do not proceed to the airport until you receive a confirmed departure time directly from your airline."

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