240 Stranded Due to Dubai Airport Restrictions... HanaTour and Modetour Secure Emergency Alternative Flights

Due to the aftermath of the Middle East crisis, operations at Dubai International Airport have been restricted, causing disruptions in the return schedules of Korean tourists currently staying in the region. Travel agencies have begun arranging emergency alternative flights and are working to bring travelers home in stages.

According to the travel industry on March 4, HanaTour and Modetour are adjusting flights for package tourists who are in Dubai, focusing on securing alternative options. The two companies have approximately 540 customers staying in the Middle East, with about 240 of them currently in Dubai.

HanaTour has confirmed that around 150 of its customers remain in Dubai. Of these, more than 40 departed Dubai on an Emirates flight on the morning of March 4 (local time) and arrived in Taipei. After spending one day there, they plan to return to Incheon on the afternoon of March 5 via a Korean Air flight.

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A HanaTour representative stated, "About 150 people are stranded in Dubai, but we have secured return flights for 40 of them first," adding, "We will continue to arrange flights for the remaining travelers in stages, and the company plans to cover the related costs."

In the case of Cairo, the airport is operating normally, so travelers are able to return home by changing their flight bookings. HanaTour reported that all customers staying in Cairo are expected to return by the following day.

Modetour has also secured alternative flights departing from March 5 (local time), in cooperation with airlines, with routes transiting through Taipei, Hanoi, and Guangzhou. About 50 Modetour customers are scheduled to return to Korea on March 5.

A Modetour representative explained, "After some operations at Dubai Airport resumed, we have been working closely with airlines to secure and coordinate alternative connecting flights quickly," adding, "To ensure the safe return of our package customers, we are maintaining close cooperation with the airlines and proceeding with staged returns."

However, it remains uncertain whether Emirates' direct flight departing from Dubai in the early hours of March 5 will operate as scheduled. Although the Incheon International Airport arrivals schedule lists Emirates and Korean Air flights from Dubai as expected to arrive on the afternoon of March 5, the actual operation is still uncertain due to the fluid local airport situation.

The travel industry expects that if direct flights operate as scheduled, the process of returning travelers will be significantly expedited.

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