Perth airport: Travellers plans thrown into chaos as Iran’s retaliatory strikes shut off global transit hubs

Perth travellers and expats have had their plans thrown into chaos after escalating conflict engulfed the Middle East on Sunday. Iran fired missiles at targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states on Sunday after vowing massive retaliation for the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the US and Israel, prompting US President Donald Trump to threaten Tehran against further escalation. Iran acknowledged 86-year-old Khamenei’s death in the joint Israeli-American airstrike on Saturday at his Tehran office. Iran’s Cabinet vowed that this “great crime will never go unanswered” and the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened to launch its “most intense offensive operation” ever, targeting Israeli and American bases. Israel, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai were all attacked and while many of the strikes were aimed at US bases in the region, a drone strike hit the Crowne Plaza hotel in Bahrain while debris caused a fire at the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Another drone strike hit Dubai airport, injuring four staff. Debris from an intercepted drone killed one person and injured seven others at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport. The scattergun attacks forced the closure of both airports as well as at Doha — cutting off travel through three of the world’s busiest terminals, throwing tens of thousands of passengers into limbo. Passengers arrived at Perth Airport to find their flights to Doha were cancelled and four planes that had already left for the Middle East were turned around mid-air. Qatar Airways flights from Australia were cancelled according to an airline spokesperson, and four planes were turned around mid-flight on Saturday night. Brian Read was aboard one of the flights and said passengers were told of “a situation in Qatar.” “It happened part of the way to Doha, they turned the plane around and then told us that because of a situation in Qatar, they were bringing us back to Perth,” he said. “They didn’t (tell us a reason) at that time, but people were looking on the phones on the internet and finding out what was going on. “So we pretty quickly knew what was going on.” Catherine Harrison was scheduled to return to London on Saturday but got to the airport only to find out her plans were scuppered. “I arrived this evening to fly home to London via Doha with Qatar Airways and on the way I got a message from a girlfriend in London saying I don’t think we’re coming back,” she said. “I didn’t think too much of it, got here and all the flights through Doha were cancelled and I went down to the inquiry desk at Qatar Airways. “The previous flight that had taken off about an hour before had been returned back to Perth, and all passengers were sent to the queue, and all the evening flight, my flight at 10.45, were also in the queue.” Ms Harrison said she was worried because her visa was about to run out. “The big issue is myself and a lot of other passengers, our visas run out in Australia today, and we’re now basically illegal immigrants, or will be, and I’m quite concerned about that,” she said. “As much as I like staying in Australia, a wonderful country, a beautiful place, I don’t want to be in trouble with the Border Force, and I want to be able to make sure I can come back again, but I also need to get home.” The chaos also left 2000 Formula One staff and racing team crews scrambling to get from testing in Bahrain to Melbourne where the season starts next week. Crew were frantically changing flight plans to reroute through Hong Kong, Singapore or Perth. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said a “large” number of Australians were stuck but the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was trying to determine exactly how many. “I am absolutely aware, the Government’s very aware, this is extremely distressing and concerning for the region, and particularly Australians in the region,” she said. “What we would say is that our focus is on the security and safety of Australians in the region. “What I would also say is we do anticipate difficult days ahead, and we’ll continue to provide information and whatever assistance we are able. “As I said, we have opened the registration portal for consular assistance for Australians in Israel and in Iran.” One such Australian stuck in the Middle East is Perth man Cayden, who is holidaying in Dubai. He said he worried the situation would further deteriorate. “I’ve seen shooting missile things getting intercepted and a lot of alerts overnight and the airports are chaos with people stranded in them,” he said. “The streets are empty, it’s pretty scary on what our next steps are for getting back to Australian soil.” Advice on the Government’s Smart Traveller website warns that . “Closure of airspace around transit hubs in the Middle East may impact flights globally. It may cause flight delays and cancellations, including on routes to Europe,” it read. “Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Contact your travel agent or airline to confirm your plans. “If you travel to or through the Middle East, you may be unable to leave if conflict escalates. Flights can change or stop at short notice. Roads and borders can close.” There is a “do not travel” warning for much of the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The most serious advice level also includes Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Syria, Kuwait, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Yemen. Anthony Albanese said DFAT would try to help expats navigate a complicated situation. “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is this morning opening its registration portal for Australians seeking assistance to depart Israel and Iran and will be directly in touch with registered Australians with the latest information,” the Prime Minister said. “The closure of transport hubs in the Middle East will likely lead to flight disruptions and cancellations. “We’ve already seen flights returned to Australia that were unable to land in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi and of course, Emirates, in particular with Etihad, have many flights to the region — as does Qatar and other airlines. “Travellers should prioritise their safety. They should monitor events and follow local advice.” State Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the Premier had been briefed on the situation and urged those who had plans to travel to stay informed. “Monitor the situation very carefully — follow the DFAT instructions would be my advice to all West Australians who are seeking to travel,” she said.