Cover image via Sin Chew Daily
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A Malaysian food and beverage operator, who had planned a 12-day Chinese New Year trip to Turkey with his wife, is now among the many travellers stranded abroad
Coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran have effectively turned the Middle East into a no-fly zone, leaving flight schedules across the Gulf in chaos.
Tong See Kwong and his wife are currently at an airport near Pamukkale, Turkey, awaiting a domestic flight to Istanbul. From there, they hope to secure a way back to Malaysia.
Tong told Sin Chew Daily that they departed for their holiday on the third day of CNY, 18 February. Their original itinerary involved flying from Turkey to Dubai International Airport before transiting back to Malaysia.
The nightmare began on Saturday, 28 February, when the couple received an urgent email from Emirates
"We were informed that due to the impact of airspace closures, all flights to and from Dubai were suspended until 8pm (Malaysia time) on 1 March," Tong said.
While local ground staff in Turkey advised them to head to Istanbul first to determine their next steps, the situation took a turn for the worse. Following retaliatory drone strikes by Iran, Dubai International Airport reported significant damage to one of its concourses today, 2 March.
With one of the world's busiest transit hubs under fire, Tong admitted that their chances of getting home on time are now "quite slim".
For now, the couple is stuck in a waiting game thousands of kilometres from home
"I will only know the actual situation once I reach Istanbul; for now, I have to take things one step at a time," Tong explained.
"Some have suggested I seek help from the Malaysian Embassy in Turkey or look into buying alternative flight tickets. I will see what to do when the time comes."
Are you, or someone you know, currently stranded in the Middle East?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, 1 March, advised all Malaysians in the affected regions to remain vigilant and register their presence via E-Konsular.
- Malaysian Embassy in Ankara: +90 312 44635 47 / 48
- Consulate General in Istanbul: +90 212 326 80 45
