German tourist heartbroken after Middle East airspace closure cancels Thailand trip

2026-03-03 - 10:03

A 68-year-old German tourist said he was heartbroken after his flight to Thailand was canceled due to Middle East airspace closures linked to the conflict between Iran and Israel. Rolf Kollrep, who visits Thailand twice a year, had planned to spend the entire month of March holidaying in the country. He was scheduled to depart Germany on 2 March on a Qatar Airways flight transiting through Doha before continuing to Bangkok. Accommodation in Pattaya and Hua Hin had been booked since last year. However, several countries in the Middle East began closing their airspace on 28 February as tensions escalated, disrupting international routes that pass through hubs such as Doha and Dubai. On the morning of 1 March, Kollrep received an email from the airline informing him that his flight had been canceled, with rebooking available in approximately two weeks. “I feel very sad, like a heartbreak. No one expected something like this to happen. But when it does, you have to accept it,” he said. Despite the setback, Kollrep said he would return to Thailand once the situation stabilizes. “Of course,” he replied when asked if he would reschedule his trip, reaffirming his affection for the country. The airspace closures have affected large numbers of international and Thai travelers, particularly those flying on routes that transit the Middle East. Many passengers have been stranded at airports since 28 February and 1 March, with some flights canceled and others forced to reroute to avoid conflict zones.