Flights Resume After Middle East Turmoil Disrupts Travel
A flight from Doha landed in Auckland, New Zealand, after air strikes caused widespread travel disruption in the Middle East. Passengers described a week of chaos and uncertainty, with many flights delayed or canceled due to the volatile situation.
Firsthand Accounts of the Crisis
Scott Walmsley, an Irish traveler, was in a hotel when explosions erupted. He reported hearing several loud bangs, followed by a siren. Initially unsure of what was happening, he later learned of the attacks via online news.
“I was sitting on the bed, and I heard four to five bangs. I felt the room kind of vibrate, and then a siren. And I thought it was doors closing in the doorway, but 10 minutes later I looked on Google and saw what happened, so we were all in a bit of a shock.”
—Scott Walmsley
Zane Berghuis, another passenger, had his travel plans upended. He described the situation in Doha as frightening due to the unknown. The global airline industry saw 4.3 million flights delayed in the past year alone, highlighting the widespread impact of disruptions (IATA 2024).
Airport Experiences
Berghuis mentioned the unexpected connection in Doha, which turned into a stressful wait. He found solace with fellow travelers. Oisik Das, from Sweden, witnessed stressed passengers attempting to rebook canceled flights.
