Middle East Crisis Strands Over 560 Nigerian Passengers

The ongoing crisis in the Middle East has led to the grounding of at least 560 Nigerian passengers following widespread airspace closures due to escalating hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. This situation resulted in the suspension of operations by major airlines, including Qatar Airways and Emirates, which left many travelers stranded.

On Saturday, passengers who had already boarded Qatar Airways flights were asked to disembark as the airline confirmed the closure of Doha's airspace. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) issued a travel advisory cautioning Nigerians about the ongoing disruptions to international flights linked to Middle Eastern destinations.

Michael Achimugu, a spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, confirmed the impact of the airspace closures on flight operations. Passengers expressed disappointment over the situation, with some, like Dare Olanihun, highlighting the emotional and financial toll of the crisis.

The advisory urged affected passengers to contact their airlines for updates and rebooking options.