After the U.S. and Israel's airstrikes on Iran, major Middle Eastern countries have successively closed their airspace, making it difficult for Korean nationals to return home.
According to diplomatic and airline industry sources on the 4th, the skies over major Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, are currently closed.
In particular, as flights at UAE's Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports and Qatar's Doha airport were repeatedly canceled, both local Korean residents and travelers were stranded. These airports are key hubs connecting Europe and Asia and see many transit tourists. The number of Korean nationals on short stays, centered on Dubai, is currently estimated at more than 4,000.
As of 8 p.m. on the 3rd (Korea time), Abu Dhabi airport allows access only to passengers with valid tickets who have received guidance from their airlines. Dubai airport has also resumed limited operations on some flights, and travelers may go to the airport only if they have been notified of a confirmed departure time by their airline.
Airlines have also moved to suspend operations one after another. Korean Air Lines, the only domestic carrier operating a nonstop route to the Middle East, decided to suspend the Incheon–Dubai route until midnight on the 8th. The suspension, initially set for the 5th, was delayed once more. After a safety assessment on the 6th, there remains a possibility that operations will be further postponed.
Middle Eastern carriers are also operating on a limited basis. Etihad Airways suspended arrivals and departures at Abu Dhabi until 7 p.m. on the 5th (Korea time). Emirates resumed limited operations on some flights from 12 a.m. on the 3rd (Korea time), but most routes remain halted until further notice.
Some Korean residents and tourists are reportedly attempting to travel overland to neighboring countries. On a UAE Korean community site, posts were shared on how to get to Oman. One travel agency was said to be selling an evacuation route at about 200,000–300,000 won per person based on a 45-seat bus. It is about a five-hour drive from Dubai in the UAE to Oman.
However, as crowds and vehicles seeking to leave for Oman by land have surged, border crossing times have increased significantly compared with usual. Issuance of visas on arrival at the border is also reported to be taking several hours or more. In addition, Muscat airport in Oman is reportedly short on available tickets, and some booked flights are being canceled.
The Korean government first evacuated Korean residents and tourists in Israel and Iran. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a total of 113 people fled to Egypt, including 66 who traveled from Israel using buses provided by the embassy and 47 tourists who moved individually to the border.
Some Korean residents also left Iran by land. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 23 people, including Korean residents in Iran and families of diplomats, departed for Turkmenistan by land. About 60 Korean residents had been staying in Iran, and about 40 who had settled locally through marriage were said to have chosen to remain for the time being. Those who evacuated to neighboring countries plan to depart individually for Korea or third countries on the 4th.
With air routes to the Middle East blocked, sales of related travel products have been fully suspended. A Hanatour official said, "We have suspended Middle East-related products through Mar. 10, and Europe flights via the Middle East are being reallocated to routes via European hub airports," adding, "Some flights may be canceled if adjustments are difficult."
Travel platform Nol Universe Co also said, "We will decide flexibly on suspension and resumption of products depending on how the situation develops," adding, "We are continuously checking return flights on routes via neighboring countries and Europe and are communicating in real time with on-site tour leaders and guides."
As returning on commercial flights has become difficult, the possibility of deploying military transport aircraft has also been raised. However, with missile attacks continuing in the Middle East and military tensions high, safety concerns are being raised over deploying military transport planes.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Park Il said at a regular briefing on the 3rd that, regarding the possibility of deploying military transport aircraft, authorities would "review" the issue comprehensively while considering whether the country's airspace is closed, runway length for operating military aircraft and whether neighboring countries will allow deployment.