The Strait of Hormuz blockage is being felt far and wide. While the world struggles with higher pump prices, key energy exporters such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar face severe economic setbacks. In Gulf states serving as air hubs, expats and affluent locals are scrambling for the exit. The discovery of oil…
Hong Kong travel agencies have suspended all tours to the Middle East this month, including those requiring flight transfers through the region, citing safety concerns amid the ongoing war. The announcement was issued on Monday evening, after renewed Iranian drone strikes targeted Dubai International Airport and other infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, in retaliation…
As hundreds of Hongkongers stranded in the Middle East scramble for air tickets home with the US-Israel war on Iran entering its 10th day, a local couple spent nearly HK$50,000 on a direct flight back after repeated failed booking attempts and a cancellation blunder caused by mental exhaustion. Yen Kwok, 35, a construction consultant, began…
Hongkonger Shirley Sung finally returned home on Sunday after being stranded in Dubai for a week and making eight failed attempts to secure a flight, ultimately paying HK$11,000 (US$1,406) to escape the Middle East conflict via Kuala Lumpur. The 30-year-old solo traveller, who had flown to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a wedding, found…
Travellers are paying double the usual airfare on Cathay Pacific Airways flights from more than 50 cities to Hong Kong as the Iran war drives up demand for routes that avoid the conflict zone, with London, Madrid and Chennai seeing the steepest surges, the South China Morning Post has found. The US-Israeli attacks on Iran…
Airfares from Hong Kong to European, South American and even some Asian destinations have surged amid the latest geopolitical tensions, according to industry insiders, especially on routes that typically transit through Middle Eastern aviation hubs. A check by the South China Morning Post found that airfares to such destinations had roughly tripled from Tuesday, days…
Hong Kong travellers rejoiced on Wednesday evening after arriving home safely on the first flight from Dubai to the city since US-Israeli strikes on Iran disrupted global air links. Emirates flight EK380 was the first to arrive after Dubai’s two airports resumed “limited” operations two days ago, landing at around 9.50pm. Dubai International Airport and…
Some Hong Kong residents stranded in the Middle East amid the US-Israeli attack on Iran have voiced frustration over repeated flight cancellations, rising hotel costs and dwindling phone data as they navigate rapidly changing emergency policies. As of Tuesday, at least 585 stranded Hong Kong residents had filed inquiries, including requests for information about itineraries…
More than 400 Hongkongers have reported being stranded in the Middle East after major airspace closures triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupted dozens of flights between the city and the region. There are no signs yet of when they might return home, even as major transit hubs including Dubai airports resumed limited operations….
Some Hongkongers stranded in the Middle East amid a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran have called for greater help from the Chinese embassy and Hong Kong government, as others considered travelling by road to another city to fly back home. As of Monday, at least 432 residents were stranded in the region, according to immigration…