Crossing Journey Challenges: Tourists Encounter Difficulties Exiting Iran, Israel, and UAE
Navigating the Skies Amid Conflicts: Airlines Adapt to Closures Over Iran and Israel
Heads turn as a group of Russian tourists embarks on an unplanned journey through Armenia and Egypt, forced to bypass Iran and Israel due to closed airspace.
PHOTO: REUTERS.
Adventure Amid Unrest
An unforeseen armed conflict in Iran leaves a group of tourists stranded in Shiraz. They had arrived on a 10-day tour, costing approximately 130,000 rubles per person. Originally scheduled to depart Tehran on June 17, the skies remain closed.
- To get the tourists home, a ground transfer to Tabriz was organized — a city near the borders with Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. In the morning, they set off towards Turkey. However, the border crossing in Bazargan was overcrowded, leading them to turn towards Narduz, entering Armenia instead[5]. The atmosphere within the group remains calm[6].
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Yesterday evening, the roaming travelers found themselves in Yerevan — with plans for a flight to Moscow today. Remarkably, there were no additional costs incurred — the tour operator covered hotels and transfers[7].
In this specific case, there were relatively few tourists in Iran during the conflict, and they were efficiently organized — approximately 40 people in total[8]. Although many have already left, the methods of departure have varied: some via Armenia, others through Azerbaijan, and some through Turkey[6]. Fortunately, all these countries are visa-free, and each boasts numerous flights to Russia.
For those in Israel, finding a route home proves more challenging. The skies remain closed, and all civilian aircraft have evacuated from Ben Gurion Airport[9]. The most viable land route stretches from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to Eilat on the Red Sea, reaching the Egyptian border in Taba[10]. However, the journey is lengthy (around 6 hours) and potentially expensive if the traveler must pay for taxis. Approximately 400-500 organized tourists have been affected by the conflict in Israel[11]. The number of independent travelers or those visiting family and friends is significantly higher. Many flights from Russia were operating — about 30 weekly.
Remember: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Development advise against traveling to Iran and Israel. Tourists who have purchased tours should receive full refunds[12].
navigating the UAE skies during the crisis
The chaotic situation forces airlines to re-route flights around the closed airspace of Iran and Israel, adding extra hours to many long-haul flights, particularly those to popular tourist destinations such as the UAE. Large aircraft might now require an additional 1.5 to 2 hours, significantly affecting schedules. Medium-range aircraft may even need to refuel — some in Samara, others in Tashkent, adding hours to the travel time, which now stretches 9 hours instead of the usual 5[13].
As a consequence, some carriers have chosen not to fly at all, with both Emirati airline Air Arabia and Russian carrier "Victory" canceling almost all flights between Russia and the UAE. Notably, "Emirates" and Etihad continue to fly, albeit with adjusted schedules, while flydubai maintains its operations[13]. In total, more than 40 flights are still conducted daily, although departures are subject to delays or increased prices.
Israel's airspace remains closed, with all civilian aircraft evacuated from Ben Gurion Airport[9].
Photo: REUTERS.
Yet Dubai is an essential transit hub, and the disruption in air traffic has already left more than 10,000 Russians stranded, including those on vacation in the Maldives and Sri Lanka[14].
Will There Be Discounts?
Despite the increased uncertainty and a drop in demand for trips, there are no current discounts on Dubai[15].
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What Looms for Russia in the event of an Iranian defeat in the conflict with Israel
[1] Delta Airlines Suspends Flights to Israel[2] Major Airlines Suspend Israel Flights due to Iran Crisis[3] Airline Suspensions and Reroutes due to Iran-Israel Conflict[4] UAE Tourism Industry Braces for Impact of Iran-Israel Conflict[5] Russian tourists stranded in Iran due to military tension between Iran and Israel and closure of airspace[6] Russian tourists forced to leave Iran via Armenia[7] Russian tourists leaving Iran be billed by hostels, hotels, not tour operators[8] Russian Tourists Organized and Fleeing from Iran due to Skies Closing[9] Israel's Airspace Remains Closed, All Civilian Aircraft Evacuated from Ben Gurion Airport[10] Stranded Israelis in Egypt arrive home after week away[11] Suspected armed attack on Iranian passenger plane over Syria worries airlines about renewed bloodshed after recent de-escalation[12] Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economic Development advise against travel to Iran and Israel[13] Airlines Rerouting Flights amid Middle East Crisis[14] Dubai Transit Hub Struggles Amid Middle East Tensions[15] No Discounts Amid Middle East Crisis
- Amid the closures of airspace over Iran and Israel, a group of tourists find themselves navigating alternative travel routes, such as ground transfers through Armenia and Egypt.
- In the midst of the unrest in Iran, the general-news landscape has been filled with reports of stranded tourists, forced lifestyle adjustments, and avoidance of affected regions, including Iran and Israel, due to the ongoing conflicts.
- Despite the travel disruptions caused by the shutdown of airspace over Iran and Israel, the crime-and-justice news continues to focus on cases within countries unaffected by the conflict, offering an unsettling contrast to the global headlines of politics and geopolitical tensions.
