New Zealanders are among the thousands of travellers stranded in Dubai as missile strikes sparked widespread airspace closures across the Middle East, cancelling around 6000 flights in one of the biggest disruptions to air travel since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Iran launched attacks on countries throughout the Middle East in response to massive and ongoing US-Israeli joint strikes on the Islamic Republic which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials.
Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest by passenger traffic, was damaged during the retaliatory strikes and remained closed.
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates had all announced at least partial closures of their skies.
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University of Auckland students Harry Burden and Gordon Piper told Breakfast they heard multiple loud booms yesterday while staying just kilometres from Al Minhad Air Base. (Source: Breakfast)
'Insane' scenes as missiles intercepted over Dubai
University of Auckland students Harry Burden and Gordon Piper, on holiday in the United Arab Emirates, told Breakfast they heard multiple loud booms yesterday while staying just kilometres from Al Minhad Air Base.
"The first booms we heard here in Dubai were yesterday, and today's been pretty quiet in comparison," Burden said.
"The general mood is pretty okay right now."
The pair were at Piper's cousin's house when the explosions began.
"We were all just sitting outside and it took us by surprise," Piper said.
"I don't think we really knew what it was at the start, until we actually saw debris falling from the sky."
Burden said the scene was "pretty crazy".
"Not only were we seeing the smoke from the interceptions, but we saw the flaming piece of debris that hit the Fairmont resort on The Palm. It's kind of insane watching flaming objects falling from the sky."
He said it was encouraging to see most of the missiles and drones were being intercepted rather than hitting the ground.
"Considering how quiet today’s been, we’re feeling pretty good."
The group was scheduled to return home in two days, but that timeline was now uncertain.
"We’re only one flight away from home. Even if ours gets cancelled, whatever happens, we’ll be home soon," Burden said.
'Really frightening': Olympic snowboarder caught in shutdown
Kiwi Winter Olympic finalist Rocco Jamieson and his mother were en route to South Korea for a snowboarding photoshoot when the strikes began and all flights were cancelled.
"We stopped off here to get some summer but obviously not the not the holiday we were probably imagining," he told Breakfast from his hotel in Dubai.
"It's obviously pretty scary. Looking out the window and having it shaking — it's a bit of a wake-up, it's all very real."
His mother Deb said yesterday was "really frightening" but that the pair felt a "bit better" today.
"We're just getting those alerts that come up on our phone telling us to take cover and stay inside and away from windows," she said.
"We got one today that said you're okay to resume activities, so we got to go for a wander and lie by the pool for a minute, and that was really nice."
She said they had registered with SafeTravel and received notifications advising them to follow local authorities.
The pair had been due to fly to Seoul tomorrow night but said that now appeared unlikely.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said New Zealanders in affected areas should follow the advice of local authorities, including "shelter in place" advisories.
Gordy Bayne from World Travellers said the shutdown of Middle Eastern airspace had caused immediate disruption for Kiwis already overseas and those preparing to travel.
"Dubai and the Middle East suddenly became a crucial part of the puzzle for thousands of Kiwis heading to Europe," he told Breakfast.
He said Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad had activated disruption policies, allowing travellers to change flights, seek refunds or switch airlines.
Gordy Bayne from World Travellers spoke to Breakfast about the situation, while 1News’ Louise Ternouth is at Auckland Airport. (Source: Breakfast)
With around 90 million passengers moving through Dubai Airport each year, Bayne said the flow‑on impact would be significant, urging travellers to stay calm and contact their airline or travel agent.
"What we're trying to reiterate to Kiwis at the moment, is that this isn't a global travel pause. It's a disruption in the Middle East, and we're really encouraging people to look at alternative arrangements."
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including new footage of major Iran strike, and a massive police sting in Christchurch. (Source: Breakfast)
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