The war ruined my holiday! Influencers and holidaymakers complain missile barrage has left them stranded at airports
Qatar 's decision to close its airspace in response to Iranian missile attacks has sparked global travel chaos - with influencers complaining of being left stranded at airports and on planes.
Doha's Hamad International Airport shut for eight hours from yesterday evening, prompting airlines to rush to cancel their flights. It reopened at 1.20am local time, but with international routes now interrupted the disruption will take time to resolve.
The barrage of Iranian missiles fired at Al Udeid US military base in Doha in response to American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend was the latest escalation of tension in the already volatile region.
Those who have had their travel plans disrupted include Beth Hassan, a 'running and lifestyle' TikToker who shared a video earlier this morning to say her flight from Sydney to Doha had been called off.
'I'm so stressed - there's been no information given,' she said. 'I've tried to contact the airline but can't get through on the phone or email so don't know what to do. I'm really stressed, somebody help!'
Make-up influencer Maddie Wilcox described waking up to hear that their plane from India to Qatar was being diverted with two hours to go before landing due to missiles being fired at its capital.
She described the experience as 'scary' and said the plane was heading to Mumbai instead.
Tens of thousands of passengers are now stranded across several airports across the Middle East - which happens to be one of the busiest regions for commercial aviation.
Qatar Airways posted on X: 'Our focus at this time is to help our passengers return home or reach their onward journey safely and smoothly. We've deployed extra ground staff at Hamad International Airport to support you as we resume operations.'
Dozens of flights have been diverted to a variety of destinations including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai World Central, Jeddah Muscat, Medina and Riyadh.
Meanwhile, several planes taking off from Heathrow and West Midlands Airport u-turned in mid-air and returned home or were cancelled before departure.
One TikToker, 'marmoves', said she had been stuck on her plane for 'three to four hours' after it was diverted away from Doha to Turkey.
Meanwhile, 'clodagh7' said she had been unable to get on a flight out of Brisbane.
'Apparently Doha airport is just chockablock, so I'm going back to Brisbane now,' she said.
Several British influencers who are currently living in Dubai said they were leaving following the outbreak of war.
Harrison Sullivan wrote: 'The war has kicked off, we have seen the bombs going into Qatar and I am out of here. I'm going straight to Europe where I will continue my hustle for this whole week.'
TylerTen10 added: 'Currently stranded in Dubai thanks to Trump. Woke up to hearing all flights cancelled. I am absolutely gutted. I miss home now. Cheers Trump.'
Other social media users expressed their concerns about the impact of the conflict on their relatives in the Middle East.
TikToker uminehaax described how her family were 'stuck' in Qatar during the bombing.
She told followers: 'Things just don't seem to be getting better for me at the moment. You might have heard about the strikes that have happened between Iran and the US.
'Well I moved to Qatar when I was about 12 and we've lived there for eight, nine years. My mum is still there.... This is incredibly scary, nothing like this has ever happened - Qatar has never been involved in any conflict like this on this scale.
'My mum is absolutely distraught, she was sending us lots of videos of missiles flying over where we live.'
Airlines scrambled to cancel flights and reroute planes yesterday after news of the attacks on the Al Udeid US military base in Doha first emerged. Officials were told the attack in advance and it did not kill or injure anyone.
The escalating tensions are starting to affect airlines beyond the Middle East, where major flight routes have already been cut off since Israel began strikes on Iran on June 13.
Yesterday, Air India said it would suspend flights to and from eastern North America and Europe as those routes use what has become an increasingly narrow path between those destinations and the Indian subcontinent.
After briefly closing their airspace, Bahrain and Kuwait both reopened them. Dubai Airports said its operations had resumed after a brief suspension, though it warned of delays or cancellations on social media site X.
The conflict has already cut off major flight routes to typically resilient aviation hubs such as Dubai, with the world's busiest international airport, and Qatar's capital of Doha.
The usually busy airspace stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean this morning resembled a ghost town, devoid of commercial air traffic due to the airspace closures and safety concerns.
Air India said yesterday it had stopped all operations to the Middle East, but also flights to North America's east coast and Europe. This included diverting flights already in the air back to their takeoff site, and away from closed airspaces.
'It's terrifying,' said Miret Padovani, a business owner who was stranded at Doha's Hamad International Airport.
She was booked on a Qatar Airways flight to Thailand scheduled to leave late yesterday, but cancelled her trip and is now planning on returning home to Dubai early today.
'Everything happened so quick. I actually heard from people in the first class lounge that the missiles were being sent this way before they were even in the news.'
According to aviation analytics company Cirium, about two dozen flights to Doha, mostly from Qatar Airways, were diverted yesterday, and about a handful of flights to Dubai were diverted due to the airspace closures.
Kuwait Airways yesterday suspended its flight departures from the country, while UAE's Etihad Airways was rerouting flights today.
IAG's Spanish airline Iberia scrapped a plan from earlier in the day to resume flights to Doha today after the latest airspace closures.
With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed to most airlines due to years of war, the Middle East has become a more important route for flights between Europe and Asia.
Amid missile and air strikes during the past 10 days, airlines have routed north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Carriers have likely been avoiding Doha, Dubai and other airports in the region due to concerns that Iran or its proxies could target drone or missile attacks on US military bases in these countries, aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions said.
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The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Meet the ‘Neom' WAGS – glam Brit TikTok housewives of Saudis building $1tn mega city… and why it's hiding a dark secret
IN the deserts of north-western Saudi Arabia sits a gated Brit family enclave - and while wives stay home to look after their young kids, their husbands are busy building Neom - the $1 trillion mega-city. But the glamorous Brit influencers also act like they too are working for the project as they spend their days posting social media content, painting a glossy picture of life there - but it hides a dark secret. 19 A dozen now- influencers - most with young children - made the move months or even years ago as their husbands landed various jobs working for the Saudi project. The high salaries are said to be the main attraction for a new life in the desert - as well as the often free accommodation - with some senior executives offered over $1 million annually. It appears that most, if not all of the women had normal jobs before taking up social media as they moved thousands of miles away. And, by offering an insight into the project and their luxurious life there, the women have accumulated thousands of followers across Instagram and TikTok. Footage uploaded to social media shows perfect pre-schools, playgrounds, virtually zero traffic and community-building activities like coffee mornings for the housewives. Families also come together in a central food hall on the site for buffet-style eating for every meal of the day. The temporary accommodations are also equipped with luxury amenities like swimming pools, spa facilities, playgrounds and football pitches. One TikToker shared a video on how items compare price-wise in Saudi supermarkets, with a punnet of strawberries or blueberries costing up to £10. But the Brit expat insists, "considering where we are, the prices are really really good". And to help deal with such a change in environment, UK chocolates and sweets are stocked on the shelves. Humiliation for Saudi Arabia as £1trillion 110-mile long sideways skyscraper The Line will only be 1% of planned size But the rosy image posted of Neom c ouldn't be further from the underlying truth, having been built on bloodshed and slavery - with women in the country reportedly slaughtered for speaking out against the ruling regime. Neom was announced as part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's Project 2030 in 2017 - a major push to wean the oil-rich nation's economy off its reliance on fossil fuels. The anticipated cost of delivering the gargantuan scheme is reported to have spiralled from a $500bn (£386bn) estimate to a head-spinning $8.8 trillion (£6.8 trillion), according to The New Civil Engineer. But even more shocking are the human rights abuses and brutal conditions for workers looming over Neom - issues that have plagued the country well before the project. I absolutely love the community here, and I just wouldn't change it for the world. Samantha Brit mum As many as 21,000 are reported to have died during construction on various sections of Neom, although Saudi authorities have disputed this figure. But as some international workers continue to ensure the high-tech, blood-soaked utopia is built on time, their families are residing in a gated community equipped with everything they could possibly need - including a Starbucks. Nick McGeehan from NGO FairSquare told The Sun how mumfluencers in Saudi are "very clearly a public relations strategy" - and "quite an effective one". He said: "It is trying to attract all sorts of investment into the country to sort of realise its commercial ambitions for the country, and to do that, it needs to sort of exhibit this progressive, tolerant face. 19 19 "Western women are a key part of that. Sending this message to audiences that this is a safe place, it's a good place for families, is very important to them. "And of course, the reality in Saudi Arabia is quite different to the one that's being presented, unfortunately." Life in Neom Brit mum Samantha films day-in-the-life videos showing off her new lifestyle over 4,000 miles away. This consists of school runs, gym sessions and salon appointments, which she describes as "great" and "amazing" in nearly all of her videos. Similarly, another Brit mumfluencer Samara has lived at the compound for over two years. She has dubbed her time on Neom as "incredible" and, like Samantha, shows off the amenities and what she and her family get up to day-to-day. Samara says in one video: "I can't believe I am saying this, but it has been nearly two years since I packed up my life in the UK and I got on an aeroplane with my then five-week-old baby to move to somewhere that I had never ever been before. "It was absolutely madness if you ask me but honestly it was the best decision I have ever made in my life and it still is. "I absolutely love the community here, and I just wouldn't change it for the world." 19 19 Despite previous denials from Neom that influencers aren't paid, Nick has his doubts. He said: "I would be very surprised if there wasn't a commercial dimension to this. "We've seen this in the past, and we know that Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States spend millions and millions of pounds on public relations, and they're very smart how they do it." Just two weeks ago, Saudi journalist Turki al-Jasser was executed for "high treason". He was the founder of news blog The Saudi Scene, which is said to have regularly addressed topics in the country, like its infamous lack of rights for women. Nick pointed out how the life of expat influencers in Saudi differs greatly from the women who were born and raised there. The reality is, it's still quite a brutal place for anyone who wants to speak out, and it's still not a great place for women to go because of the way that women are still second-class citizens in the country Nick McGeehanNGO FairSquare Women's rights are incredibly patchy in the country and women exercise little control over their marriage, children, education, and even healthcare. Only six years ago were Saudi women were granted the right to drive. It is also known that women are being jailed, starved and flogged in "hellish" Saudi prisons for being "disobedient" to their husbands. Documented cases show various evidence of abuse and neglect at the notorious Dar al-Re'aya jails, according to rights group ALQST. Prisoners are left malnourished and locked up in solitary confinement, the organisation claims. Several cases of suicide attempts in recent years have also been reported. 19 19 19 The name of the jails, Dar al-Re'aya, literally translates to "care homes". They have existed since the 1960s and were initially presented as a rehabilitative "shelter" for women accused or convicted of certain crimes. The infamous cells house women and girls between the ages of just seven to 30. Nick said: "We cannot believe the sort of public relations image that we're sold about the country from influencers on TikTok and other social media. "The reality is, it's still quite a brutal place for anyone who wants to speak out, and it's still not a great place for women to go because of the way that women are still second-class citizens in the country." Nick believes it is "dangerous" to perpetuate this kind of unrealistic lifestyle on social media, based on the idea "you just have to shut up, consume, shop, sunbathe - and don't say a goddamn thing about what's going on to the people who've stood up and ask for their basic rights". He concluded: "It's cheap PR, right?" Some influencers living in Neom have been approached for comment. Futuristic city Neom is to be an unbelievable futuristic city across 26,000 sqft on the Red Sea and will include smaller projects like The Line, Oxagon, Trojena, Sindalah and the Gulf of Aqaba Projects. Some infrastructure in the plans includes floating buildings, as well as ultra-luxurious holiday and ski resorts. 19 19 19 But even after eight years, little progress has been made. And the project has been the subject of a number of controversies. One former employee has shared their story of working at the gigaproject with The Sun, shedding light on the atrocities taking place behind Neom's doors. Rights organisations have long blasted the Saudi regime's record on workers' welfare, with a recent Human Rights Watch report detailing the "gruesome yet avoidable" deaths faced by many migrant workers. The advocacy group mentions that some workers died falling from buildings, by electrocution, and even decapitation. Human Rights Watch researcher Joey Shea told The Sun: "Unfortunately, migrant workers in Saudi Arabia continue to face widespread abuses, some of which may amount to situations of forced labour, including at high-profile gigaprojects. 19 "On Neom, Human Rights Watch has found that ambitious targets set by Saudi authorities have tight and unrealistic deadlines which can lead employers to demand that workers continue to work under dangerous conditions. "Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia experience illegal and exorbitant recruitment fees, limits to job mobility, obstacles exiting the country, as well as serious health and safety risks." Michael, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, told The Sun that the project is unlikely to be anywhere near complete before 2055. Talking about delays, Michael said: "From the very beginning, Neom had a very long timeline. "There were certain objectives they wanted to achieve by 2030, but most of the leadership were aware of a longer timeframe." Michael said Neom's management has "overspent quite a bit" since its announcement. He says: "They were focusing on way too many things at the same time. "They just wanted everything at the highest level possible. The biggest entertainment complex in the world. The biggest media studio in the region. "No matter how much money you throw at the thing, it takes more than just money to make it work." The much hyped project, aided by an aggressive social media marketing campaign, has sought to big up Neom as a vision of futuristic city living. Sci-fi ideas from levitating trains to an artificial moon are reported to have been among the features of the project. But Neom continues to fall chronically behind schedule, with many of its most ambitious projects still looking like a distant dream. Top 5 blunders plaguing NEOM project By Juliana Cruz Lima, Foreign News Reporter Saudi Arabia's NEOM project, despite its ambitious vision, has been criticized for several major blunders that have raised concerns about its feasibility, ethics, and overall execution. Here are the top five major blunders associated with the project: Forced Displacement of Indigenous Communities: One of the most significant controversies surrounding NEOM is the forced displacement of the Huwaitat tribe. This indigenous community, which has lived in the area for centuries, was forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to make way for the development of the mega-city. The Saudi government's crackdown on those who resisted, including the killing of a tribal leader, Abdul Rahim al-Howeiti, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organisations. This blunder not only sparked international outrage but also tainted NEOM's image as a forward-thinking, humane project. Environmental Impact and Sustainability Concerns: NEOM has been marketed as an environmentally sustainable city, but the environmental impact of such a massive development is a major concern. The project's scale—covering over 26,500 square kilometers—poses significant risks to local ecosystems, particularly in the Red Sea, which is home to rich marine biodiversity. Critics argue that the construction of artificial islands and extensive urbanisation could lead to irreversible ecological damage. The enormous water and energy demands required to maintain a green city in the desert also raise questions about the project's sustainability. Economic Viability and Cost Overruns: NEOM is one of the most expensive development projects in history. But there are serious doubts about its economic viability. Critics question whether the project can attract the necessary foreign investment and whether it will generate sufficient returns to justify the enormous expenditure. The economic risks are further compounded by potential cost overruns and delays, which are common in megaprojects of this scale. This financial gamble has led some to worry that NEOM could become a costly white elephant if it fails to meet its ambitious goals. Technological Overreach and Ethical Concerns: NEOM is envisioned as a high-tech city, heavily reliant on artificial intelligence, robotics, and extensive surveillance systems. While this technological ambition is central to NEOM's identity, it also raises significant ethical concerns. The level of surveillance planned for the city could lead to unprecedented control over residents' lives, sparking fears about privacy and civil liberties. The lack of transparency about how AI will be used, coupled with concerns about job displacement, has also led to criticism that NEOM's technological vision may be more dystopian than utopian. Cultural and Social Disconnect: NEOM's vision of a futuristic, liberalized society clashes sharply with Saudi Arabia's deeply conservative cultural norms. The project plans to introduce mixed-gender sports, entertainment events, and other liberal lifestyle elements that are rare in the kingdom. This cultural shift has raised concerns about a potential clash between NEOM's globalised vision and the traditional values of Saudi society. The disconnect between the project's ambitions and the broader cultural context has led to skepticism about whether NEOM can truly integrate into Saudi Arabia's social fabric without causing significant friction.
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
I moved to Dubai and paid 0% tax - on paper it had everything but now you couldn't pay me a million dollars to move back
A man who moved to Dubai has said not even a million dollars could tempt him to go back. The young Italian re-located to the Arab city in 2022 with his Russian girlfriend hoping for 'safety', 'luxury' and 'freedom'. But instead of the 'dream' they were met with a 'nightmare' as the pair found Dubai to be 'fake'. Taking to X, the dissatisfied traveller - who goes by the name Walter Ego - said those who value status, luxury and certainty would love Dubai - but others should think twice about moving. He described the experience of moving to the United Arab Emirates with his girlfriend, who lived in Georgia at the time. The couple were tempted to book tickets following the start of war in Ukraine amid fears the country was just '10 hours away'. And so after two hours of discussion they booked their flights and were off in two days. Walter Ego said: 'My girlfriend was safe. Finally zero per cent taxes, no accounting, no more uncertainty around my crypto trading income. 'A new adventure had begun. And the dream felt real.' The trader, who also claims to work as a ghostwriter for CEOs, said the transition was initially 'smooth' as he had a close friend in Dubai. He added the weather was 'bearable' as it was still spring and he was impressed at first by the door-to-door economy that offered clean, safe, and healthy food. But soon, as the weather got hotter, things also started to appear more 'boring'. Walter Ego noticed the architecture, 'despite impressive verticality', was quite dull. Both real and artificial beaches also felt 'fake'. When June came, the Italian said he began 'looking for mess' - but to no avail. He explained: 'Dubai was sleek in every direction. Precise in its routines. Optimised to the minute. But that was the problem. Every struggle came frictionless. Even chaos felt curated. I'm Italian. I moved to Dubai in 2022 to pay 0% tax. On paper, it had everything: Safety. Luxury. Freedom. But instead of the dream, I lived the nightmare. If they paid me $1M to go back, I'd say no. Here's why (and what no one tells you): 🧵 — Walter Ego (@ItsWalterEgo) June 20, 2025 'And slowly, I started to feel it. The quiet emptiness behind the perfection.' The couple have now left Dubai and Walter Ego says three years later he is living between Tbilisi and Italy, 'unoptimised, but alive'. He concluded: 'What matters most isn't efficiency, but living in a place that reflects your soul back to you.' Since sharing his experience, the cryptocurrency trader's post has been viewed more than three million times. He has also stated 'If they paid me $1M to go back, I'd say no'. Many people have since given their own thoughts - with some saying they agree, but others calling Walter Ego an 'insufferable complainer'. Peter Saddington said: 'Sounds like you went to Dubai so you could write a blog post. Lame. Moving to any location doesn't matter, you still have to deal with you, your baggage, and your lack of self-awareness. 'Find purpose where you are sir. Changing location is an expensive cope.' There were a lot of social media users who shared in the experience of Walter Ego and also found Dubai to be 'fake' Winnie. K.M. added: 'Interesting how perspectives vastly differ. 'I moved to Dubai unintentionally last October. My reasons were not financial. I loved the culture, the architecture that you hate, the warmth of the people, the heat you complain about and more.' And another person said: 'An insufferable complainer who wrote this thread. Absolute loser mentality.' But there were a lot of users who shared in the experience. Sankrant Sanu said: 'Something here really rang true. When I visited Dubai I noticed the emptiness. Some friends had oved there. Luxury status efficiency. And emptiness.' Marti M-K added: 'I've enjoyed your raw, honest story, thank you for sharing the adventure with us.' A third person concluded: 'Dubai is a weekend/short holiday destination. Despite all its flaws, nothing comes close to Europe. 'Nothing comes close to Paris, its Riviera, or Italy, its lakes, mountains, and sea sides.' Dubai is the most populated city in the United Arab Emirates and is located on the south-eastern coast of the Persian Gulf. The area became a regional trade hub in the 20th century after declaring itself a free port. It is home to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa and more than 190 miles of artificial coastline has been added as part of extensive land-reclamation projects. Over the last few years a number of celebrities have shared stories of flocking to Dubai for a new life - though the Foreign Office has issued a warning in the last few days to UK tourists thinking of visiting amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. In January this year the political journalist Isabel Oakeshott, who is partner of Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice, confirmed she had moved to Dubai with her children and claimed the decision was prompted by the introduction of VAT on private school fees by the Labour government in the UK. Other celebrities who own property or reside in Dubai include David and Victoria Beckham, Lindsay Lohan and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
‘We don't want to go': Australian couple told to pay $3,500 to postpone flights amid Middle East volatility
Sharon Latour and her husband are scheduled to fly through Abu Dhabi on an Etihad flight on Wednesday, just nine days after Iran launched a missile strike on a US base in nearby Qatar. As of Friday, the Australian couple's flight was still scheduled for takeoff despite the volatility in the region. Latour is upset that Etihad are insisting on charging her $3,500 to change their tickets if they want to postpone their trip until early next year. 'I kept repeating over the phone: 'We're genuinely scared, we're not making this up.' [But] not a care in the world,' Latour said. 'They're just like, 'well, pay the [fee]'.' Australian travellers had already been advised to avoid the region as Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes , before a US strike prompted the Iranian retaliation. Countries closed their airspaces and airlines diverted flights, leaving passengers stranded. Iran has threatened to strike US military bases if it is subjected to further American attacks. But Australians hoping to avoid flying through the Middle East in coming weeks have found they have limited consumer rights to move or cancel their own flights. With many passengers facing delays, scheduling changes and cancellations, consumer advocates have called for stronger protections to ensure compensation and transparency for passengers. Latour left Australia for a work trip to Malaysia, and her husband joined her in early June. They planned to holiday in Europe, so while in Kuala Lumpur they booked Etihad flights to Rome with a transit in Abu Dhabi. They booked business class seats on Etihad using a combination of rewards points and a bank card. Latour said she and her husband were looking forward to their trip until the airspace closures caused by Iran's threats to strike US bases. They were worried about Al Dhafra airbase, which hosts US military assets and is situated just 25km from Abu Dhabi. At this point Latour said she contacted Etihad to request help moving their flight, 'because we're really scared, we don't want to be stuck there'. 'You just had bombardment, missiles flying literally next door,' she said. 'You have an American base really close to the airport. We don't want to go there.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Latour said an Etihad call centre representative told her she should have been aware of the company's rules requiring the payment of rescheduling fees. They refused Latour's request for a free or low-fee deferral to fly instead on March 2026. Australians travelling through Middle Eastern airports in June have reported chaotic waits. Guardian readers have reported being among thousands stranded in Doha airport. One couple reported being stuck at Doha airport for 40 hours. They said the airport had few staff assisting passengers. Another passenger told Guardian Australia that Doha airport security staff threatened to seize the mobile phones of some customers who had attempted to film the queues and crowds. Passengers joined airport staff behind information desks as customers waited for flight information, they claimed. But Australian consumers are unlikely to have any legal rights to defer their flights unless their airline's fine print allows, experts say. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have said airlines must meet the guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law. But the guarantees may not apply in every case. The consumer guarantees probably won't apply if an airline delays or cancels a flight due to the actions of a third party, such as a government implementing restrictions on the flight, the ACCC said. And if a customer initiates a cancellation, the guarantees are again unlikely to apply, meaning any remedy consumers are entitled to will depend on the specific terms and conditions of their fare. In Latour's case, she and her husband are likely at the 'behest' of Etihad, especially because they booked their tickets in Malaysia and not Australia, according to Jodi Bird, a travel expert at the consumer advocacy organisation Choice. Bird said if they had booked the tickets at home they could have at least mounted an argument that they should be protected under consumer law. But even that outcome is doubtful, Bird said. 'Our experience is that it doesn't do a lot to protect you beyond [the terms and conditions] of the airline.' Bird said even people whose flights were cancelled or rescheduled by the airlines will likely be reliant on the carriers for compensation. And they could struggle to get refunds rather than flight credits, he said. The predicament raises broader questions around consumer protections in the aviation industry, Bird said. Choice has called for the federal government to implement a compensation system for passengers affected by cancelled and delayed flights, which Bird said would be similar to a scheme in the European Union. 'The main advantage is it just becomes more transparent,' he said. 'You've got that kind of central place that people can go to to understand the rules, rather than having to understand the fine print of every single different airline.' The Albanese government has committed to having an aviation industry ombudsman operating in 2026. Guardian Australia understands Etihad flights are now operating to schedule without reported issues. Etihad was contacted for comment. Etihad's terms and conditions indicate that customers are entitled to re-book or get a refund if the airline cancels their flight, or if they booked a fare which offered free re-booking. Some major airlines have granted limited flexibility to customers who no longer wish to travel on flights scheduled in June to, from or via Qatar or Doha. Qantas says it has offered fee-free refunds, credits or date changes to passengers on Emirates-operated flights through Dubai scheduled up to 27 June, with additional flexibility for those travelling on to Iraq, Lebanon or Israel. Virgin and Qatar Airways say they have extended the same courtesy to those with flights through Doha up to 30 June. But people with flights scheduled from 1 July, just a week after the US strike on Qatar on 23 June, are not included. Qatar Airways said disruptions resulting from the temporary closure of Qatari airspace had been resolved by 26 June. Latour and her husband aren't so optimistic. They've cancelled their European hotel bookings and will not get on the plane on Wednesday.
