US citizens in the Middle East face 'mayhem' trying to get home
Grounded flights, nights in airports, and no clear guidance. American travellers say they desperately want to get home, but can't.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"We are already chartering flights, free of charge, and booking commercial options, which we expect will become increasingly available as time goes on."
— Donald Trump , Politician
"The number provided by the state department for support is unable to help."
— Krista Jucknath Hickman , Other
"We started to load the aircraft then we were all taken back to the terminal."
— Randy Manner , Other
"The government was currently in contact with 3,000 travellers."
— Dylan Johnson , Executive
"We are already chartering flights, free of charge, and booking commercial options, which we expect will become increasingly available as time goes on."
— Donald Trump , Politician
"We started to load the aircraft then we were all taken back to the terminal."
— Randy Manner , Other
"It's the sheer volume of people and the complexity. You will have hundreds of thousands of people being stuck in wrong parts of the world without any certainty as to when they can move."
— John Strickland , Academic
Key People
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister.
Anthony Albanese is the Prime Minister of Australia.
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
White House spokesperson addressing the Pentagon briefing.
Consultant living in Riyadh, experiencing difficulty booking flights.
Texas resident with family impacted by the situation.
Aviation analyst based in the United Kingdom.
An American traveler stranded in Dubai.
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the President of the United Arab Emirates.
Penny Wong is Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Former Army Major General trying to leave Dubai.
Leader of the Labour Party and Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras.
Locations
Tags
All Coverage
Grounded flights, nights in airports, and no clear guidance. American travellers say they desperately want to get home, but can't.
Americans traveling in the Middle East report chaotic conditions as they attempt to return home amid escalating tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran, leading to flight cancellations and airport lockdowns.
Approximately 115,000 Australians are stranded in the Middle East due to escalating tensions, prompting crisis talks between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iran have led to global travel disruptions, with several Middle Eastern countries closing their airspace, affecting thousands of flights worldwide.
Passengers at Heathrow and Gatwick airports face ongoing chaos as flight cancellations and delays hit routes to the Middle East due to rising tensions in the region.
The UAE faces significant travel disruptions as the US-Israel and Iran conflict leads to immediate flight cancellations and airport shutdowns, stranding thousands of travelers.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Fear and disruption for Ukraine's rail passengers as Russia escalates drone attacks
Ukrainians travelling by train are increasingly caught in the crosshairs of Russia's attacks.
October 6, 2026 at 09:48 AMSeveral injured in attack on airport in Saudi capital Riyadh
The US embassy says it is "aware of attacks on King Khalid International Airport", which come days after Yemen's Houthis said they had struck it.
October 10, 2026 at 06:37 PMFlydubai attacker began a 'drift towards extremism and terrorism' in Australia, UAE says
The United Arab Emirates' attorney-general also alleges the co-pilot was trying to crash the plane into Tel Aviv's airport.
October 10, 2026 at 04:34 AMBooms and flight disruptions in Riyadh as Saudi-Houthi war escalates - Reuters
Booms and flight disruptions in Riyadh as Saudi-Houthi war escalates Reuters
October 8, 2026 at 12:22 PMAirline chiefs say can't fully guard against rogue pilots after flydubai attack - Reuters
Airline chiefs say can't fully guard against rogue pilots after flydubai attack Reuters
October 8, 2026 at 12:39 PMTwo Saudi airports targeted on Monday as fighting with Yemen's Houthis escalates - Reuters
Two Saudi airports targeted on Monday as fighting with Yemen's Houthis escalates Reuters
October 6, 2026 at 08:24 AM