A bunch of Queen’s University students is stranded at an airport in Doha, Qatar, after escalating hostilities in the Center East prompted regional airspace closures and widespread flight disruptions.
Claire Haffner, a fourth-year undergraduate biology scholar, stated the group had boarded a flight to Toronto following a area course in Sri Lanka, with a stopover in Doha, after they heard an announcement.
After being in the air for an hour and a half, “there was an announcement that the airspace was closed and we needed to flip again,” she stated.
The disruptions comply with main strikes by the US and Israel on targets in Iran, sharply intensifying tensions in the area.
In return, Iran responded by launching missiles in Israel and close by Gulf nations, together with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, which resulted in a direct shutdown of airspaces throughout the area.
“There was an preliminary panic amongst me and my classmates,” Haffner stated.
She stated the Qatar Airways flight returned to Doha, the place passengers had been briefly stored on board earlier than disembarking into what she described as a “chaotic scene” contained in the airport.
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“Everyone rushed off the aircraft in an enormous mob,” she stated. “It was chaotic earlier — there have been crowds in all places and features, and making an attempt to speak to workers. Everyone is coping with it in another way, however we’re all overwhelmed.”
After a number of hours, the group was advised they might not be flying out Saturday evening.
Haffner stated they had been nonetheless ready for phrase on when the airspace would reopen.
“There’s been a sense of uneasiness ever since,” she stated. “There’s a sinking feeling in your intestine, and you may learn the information, and you realize what’s occurring outdoors … despite the fact that you’re protected in the airport.”
She stated some students rapidly bought digital SIM playing cards to remain in contact with household again residence.
Attempting to remain optimistic, Haffner advised International Information, “We’re in a protected place, the airport appears like a protected house. I’m very fortunate to be travelling with these classmates and my professor.”
Queen’s University stated it’s in direct contact with college leaders travelling with the group.
“We acknowledge that this example could also be distressing for the students and their households, and their security and well-being is our high precedence,” the college stated in a press release to International Information.
“Queen’s is in direct contact with the college leaders in Doha to supply help and help. We have now been suggested that the group is protected and at present on the airport.”
The college stated it companions with Worldwide SOS to offer emergency help for group members travelling on university-sanctioned actions and that the group has entry to 24-hour multilingual help, together with assist with flight preparations.
“We are going to stay in shut contact with the college leaders and proceed to supply help as they await additional info on subsequent steps,” the assertion stated.
International Affairs Canada has up to date its journey advisories for Canadians travelling to and from Gulf nations, together with Israel, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, warning of “ongoing army exercise” in the area.
Flights in and out of Canada to the area have confronted cancellations and delays.
– With information from Darya Zargar
© 2026 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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