Australian travellers are among those seeking clarity, as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has yet to release updated travel advice since the airspaces reopened.
Travel experts urge passengers not to cancel their flights, but instead to wait for airlines or travel agents to provide direction.
Despite resumed operations, Dubai Airports has warned of continued disruptions and Qatar’s civil aviation authority has issued similar cautions.
Passengers in transit, mid-flight, or awaiting departure report widespread uncertainty and contradictory information both online and within airport terminals.
Some flights were diverted mid-air; others were grounded indefinitely, leaving travellers stranded with little guidance.
By Tuesday afternoon, DFAT remained silent on revised recommendations. The lack of official communication left many confused at airport terminals, where conflicting reports about flight statuses only deepened the chaos.
Amanda Tate, a nurse from Adelaide, found herself stranded in Doha’s Hamad International Airport after an air strike struck a U.S. military base approximately 50 kilometres from the terminal.
Having just concluded a conference in Italy, she described the ordeal as “surreal.”
“We started seeing reports online about missile launches but didn’t know what was going on,” Ms Tate said.
She sought refuge in a quiet corner of the terminal with four other travellers. “We’re like family now,” she added.
According to Tate, the mood inside the airport was tense, with travellers reluctant to leave. Long queues formed at airline counters, but staff provided little information on when flights might resume.
Another Australian traveller, Polly Robertson, was on her way to Adelaide when airspace restrictions abruptly disrupted her journey.
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, she recounted the confusion at Hamad International Airport.
“Everyone is sitting wherever they can, just waiting for announcements,” Ms Robertson said.
“There was no communication when it happened. I was going through security after flying in from Dublin and suddenly everything stopped.”
Passengers were issued credit on their boarding passes but remained in the dark about their flight options as they waited for guidance.
