Proud of how UAE handled the chaos: Indian-origin professional shares Dubai airport story

Amid Gulf flight disruptions, Indian-origin professional praises UAE’s calm response

An Indian-origin professional based in Dubai has shared a first-hand account of how airports in the United Arab Emirates responded after flight operations were disrupted following the sudden escalation in the Gulf.

In a detailed post on LinkedIn, corporate professional Tushar Gagerna described being caught in the uncertainty after his Delhi-bound flight was grounded. His flight, scheduled to depart at 1 pm, had already boarded passengers before being held on the tarmac for nearly two hours. Eventually, travellers were asked to disembark, as news emerged of heightened regional tensions affecting airspace operations.

Gagerna recalled the tense moments inside the aircraft, marked by anxious conversations, breaking news alerts, and a collective sense of confusion among passengers. “There was uncertainty on the plane and the kind where no one quite knows what’s coming next,” he wrote.

What followed, however, stood out to him. According to Gagerna, airport authorities moved swiftly to manage the situation. Passengers from affected flights were guided to a dedicated waiting area, where communication was clear and the atmosphere remained calm. He noted that refreshments, including food and water, were distributed in a small but reassuring gesture that ensured travellers did not feel abandoned.

'Emergency visas were provided', he says

One move, in particular, left a lasting impression on him. Gagerna said emergency visas were issued on the spot for tourists who had been transiting through the country and had no prior plans or accommodation. “In the middle of a geopolitical crisis, visitors were being legally covered and taken care of,” he wrote, calling it a moment of “instant humanity.”

He contrasted this response with how disruptions are often handled elsewhere, arguing that true global leadership is reflected not in infrastructure or economic incentives alone, but in crisis management. “When things go sideways, the UAE doesn’t scramble. It executes quietly and efficiently,” he said.

As flight operations remained suspended, Gagerna said he continued waiting at the airport but never felt stranded or unsafe. He ended his post expressing gratitude for the way the situation was handled and pride in being based in the UAE, urging others to stay safe as the regional situation continued to evolve.

The account comes amid widespread flight cancellations and delays across the Gulf, Europe and South Asia after airlines rerouted or grounded aircraft due to airspace restrictions linked to the Middle East crisis, leaving thousands of passengers worldwide dealing with sudden travel disruptions.