Not only in the Middle East, travelers are also stranded in other destinations due to the Iran war – here at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand.Image: EPA
Travelers from Switzerland are stranded in 15 countries because of the Middle East war. Many people seek help from the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS).
Mar 2, 2026, 12:14 p.mMar 2, 2026, 12:18 p.m
There is currently nothing going on in the airspace over the Middle East. Around 3,000 flights were canceled there at the weekend, like that Aargauer Zeitung writes. The airline Swiss is suspending all flights to and from Dubai until March 4th, and is flying around the airspace of Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait and Bahrain until March 8th.
The FDFA has now announced that it is not organizing the departure of Swiss nationals from the affected region.
People seeking help from 15 countries
Many people are reporting to the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) who are stranded in the Middle East or other destinations due to the current situation. “We are receiving five times more calls than usual,” says TCS media spokeswoman Vanessa Flack to watson.
Callers from 15 different countries contact the TCS with different concerns, says Flack. Anyone who is not stranded in a war zone, but rather in India, Australia or Sri Lanka, calls primarily to get help with hotel reservations or other information.
Cloud of smoke after an impact near Dubai on Sunday. Image: AP
The situation is different for those who are in the war zone itself. “People are panicking,” says Flack. “They hear the impacts and fear being hit themselves.” People want to leave the region as quickly as possible.
Additional staff on duty
Many people who contact the TCS were hoping for more information. “All you have is the information that your flight is canceled,” says Flack. Many people don’t know what to do now. The airline hotlines are overloaded.
The TCS employees couldn’t do much in these cases: “At the moment we can only reassure you and say that you have to be patient.”
Stranded travelers wait in the parking lot at Dubai International Airport. Image: AP
Talking itself is often a help for many travelers. “People are just happy that they can reach someone at all,” says Flack.
Due to the special situation, the TCS has brought additional staff into service. Over 100 calls were received in the night from Saturday to Sunday.
The airlines usually have to cover the cost of hotel accommodation.