Rising tensions in the Middle East are causing global disturbances and leaving travellers with unforeseen delays. Following joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory missile attacks across the Gulf region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, airspace closures and safety concerns forced cancellations, rerouted flights, and travel chaos for passengers around the world.
A Mumbai-based Indian engineer described the crisis as a nightmare after being stranded at Moscow International Airport, claiming on social media that Etihad Airways offered no assistance.
Sunil Gupta shared a distressing post on X (formerly Twitter), detailing his situation. He wrote, “I’m completely stranded at Moscow airport… alone, helpless, and running out of hope. No one from MakeMyTrip or Etihad Airways is answering my desperate messages. Russia doesn’t accept Visa or Mastercard anymore. I have ZERO cash left. Not even for food or water.
Taking to X, Sunil Gupta shared a distressing update, saying, “I’m completely stranded at Moscow airport… alone, helpless, and running out of hope. No one from MakeMyTrip or Etihad Airways is answering my desperate messages. Russia doesn’t accept Visa or Mastercard anymore. I have ZERO cash left. Not even for food or water.”
I’m completely stranded at Moscow airport… alone, helpless, and running out of hope.No one from @makemytripcare or @etihad is answering my desperate messages. Russia doesn’t accept Visa or Mastercard anymore. I have ZERO cash left. Not even for food or water. The Etihad… — Sunil Gupta (@HeySunilGupta) March 2, 2026
“The Etihad ground staff is avoiding me more than my ex ever did — literally turning their faces away and telling me ‘just call customer care’… which has been busy for hours. I’m standing here like a beggar in my own nightmare. I don’t know how I’m going to get home. I’m scared. I feel abandoned by the very companies I trusted with my journey. My family is waiting and I can’t even tell them I’m safe. Please… if anyone from Etihad, MakeMyTrip, or even the Indian embassy sees this — HELP ME. And if you’re reading this, just one RT could save me. I’m begging," he further added.
Sunil shared a video alongside a post, explaining his ordeal, saying his flight was cancelled without any prior warning.
“No notice, no help, no humanity – flight cancelled without any warning," he said, adding that no hotel vouchers were provided and no one checked if he had money for food.
He also slammed the booking platform, stating, “MakeMyTrip who is middleman is silent – no rebooking, no hotel support. No coordination at all. I’m surviving only on the free water at the airport. Can’t even leave the terminal, can’t buy anything."
Calling it more than a personal struggle, he said, “This isn’t just my story, it is a warning. When big companies like Etihad and MakeMyTrip fail to support customers in real-time especially when internationally there are sanctions and disruptions, travellers pay the price."
Political Leaders stepping in
His appeal drew the attention of political leaders in India, with AAP leader Ruben Mascarenhas saying he had spoken to the Indian Embassy in Russia.
NCP spokesperson Anish Gawande criticised Etihad, saying the airline cannot cancel flights without offering alternatives, food, or accommodation, and called on MakeMyTrip and the Indian Embassy in Russia to intervene.
This is @etihad’s response to passengers stuck across Europe & the US. You can’t cancel flights without providing alternatives on partner carriers. You must provide food and accommodation until the new flight. Hope @makemytrip@IndEmbMoscow intervene. This is ridiculous. https://t.co/7ZSPbmFtyg — Anish Gawande (@anishgawande) March 2, 2026
Airspace Closures amid conflict
Flight operations in the Middle East face major disruption, with over 4,000 daily cancellations. The UAE has begun special departures to help stranded passengers.
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