Zambians travelling through the Middle East have been urged to remain calm but vigilant following widespread flight disruptions triggered by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
Zambia Travel Chief Executive Officer Mawano Kambeu says the unfolding situation in the Gulf region is a stark reminder of how quickly international travel can be disrupted and how vulnerable passengers can become when key transit hubs are shut down without warning.
Kambeu is currently stranded in the United Arab Emirates after airspace closures forced airlines to suspend operations across major regional airports.
He had travelled to Dubai on Thursday, February 26, 2026, for business meetings and was scheduled to return to Zambia on Sunday morning.
However, rising hostilities in the region resulted in the closure of critical air corridors, grounding flights and leaving thousands of passengers in limbo.
“You start hearing that the airspace has been shut down, the airport is closed and there are no planes in the air. At that point, you immediately know your flight will not depart,” Kambeu said.
Major international carriers, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, have cancelled hundreds of flights as security concerns mount.
Among the most affected facilities is Dubai International Airport, widely regarded as the world’s busiest hub for international passengers. The disruption has also impacted Hamad International Airport in Doha, creating ripple effects across global aviation networks that many African travellers rely on for connections to Europe, Asia and North America.
Kambeu explained that by Monday night, Dubai time, he had already been stranded for more than a day after his Sunday departure was cancelled. He noted that the initial uncertainty posed the greatest challenge.
“The biggest issue was accommodation and not knowing what to do next. There was no clear information. The airport is closed, and even airline offices here are closed,” he said.
He disclosed that airlines have so far not provided accommodation or meal support, with communication limited to online updates that extend cancellations incrementally.
“First, they cancelled until Monday. Then it was extended to Tuesday. That’s the only information available at the moment,” he said.
As a seasoned traveller and industry executive, Kambeu opted to secure his own accommodation rather than wait for formal airline assistance. He initially booked a one-day stay but has since extended it to Friday, anticipating potential backlogs even after flights resume.
“Even when operations restart, the first day can be chaotic because of the backlog. It’s better to plan ahead,” he advised.
Kambeu said the Zambian Embassy in the UAE has issued a notice encouraging nationals who require assistance to register themselves, although he has not yet sought direct support.
Despite the disruptions, he described the situation in Dubai as largely calm.
“Dubai remains quiet and safe. Restaurants and shops are open. There’s no curfew,” he said.
However, he recounted a tense moment when emergency alerts were simultaneously triggered on mobile phones across the city.
“All the phones went off at the same time with warning messages telling people to seek shelter. You could hear explosions in the distance. That was frightening. But beyond that incident, things have remained relatively stable,” Kambeu said.
He admitted that being stranded far from home during uncertain times can be emotionally draining.
“Obviously, you want to be back home with your family. Being alone in a foreign country when there is instability is unsettling,” he said.
Fortunately, he has been able to continue working remotely, which has helped him stay productive and reassured family members in Zambia.
“With technology, I can still run operations and stay connected. That has made a big difference,” he added.
Kambeu has since urged Zambian travellers to closely monitor developments before embarking on international trips through Middle Eastern transit hubs.
“This situation shows how interconnected global aviation is. When key airspace corridors are shut down, the impact is immediate and widespread. Travellers must always have contingency plans, travel insurance and emergency funds,” he advised.
Aviation experts warn that prolonged airspace closures in the Gulf region could significantly affect trade and passenger traffic, particularly for African countries that depend heavily on Middle Eastern hubs for global connectivity.
For now, Kambeu remains in Dubai awaiting official confirmation on when flights will safely resume, hopeful that stability will return soon and stranded travellers can make their way home.
Picture
Airport
Tension heightens as UK officially joins US, Israel in war against Iran
The United Kingdom has officially joined the United States and Israel in the conflict against Iran.
UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer disclosed this in a statewide broadcast on Saturday.
According to him, British planes are in the skies as part of coordinated defensive operations against Iran.
“Our forces are active, and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests, and our allies.”
He further urged the Iranian government to refrain from offensive strikes and give up their weapon programs.
“Iran can end this now. They should restrain from further strikes. Give up their weapon programs and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people. This is the root to escalation and back to the negotiation table.”
His announcement adds a fresh tension to the existing conflict in the Middle East.
Recall that the US and Israel had launched an attack on Iran early Saturday.
Iranians retaliated with strikes against US military bases in the Middle East.
DAILY POST reports that an Iranian missile had also hit parts of Israel.
Saudi Arabia on its part, has vowed to defend its sovereignty.
Courtesy of Daily Post
