A Scottish traveler who expected a one-hour layover in Dubai has been stranded for 10 days after regional conflict led to widespread flight cancellations. Mic Cassidy was attempting to return to London when retaliatory strikes by Iran, following military action by the United States and Israel, disrupted air travel and left him unable to leave the city.

Cassidy said he was first booked onto a repatriation flight but was denied boarding because he already had a confirmed booking for the following day, which was later cancelled. He described the situation as chaotic, claiming that passengers with future bookings were barred from repatriation flights even when planes departed with empty seats.

The 32-year-old said many others, including pregnant women, elderly passengers and families with young children, were also stranded under the same policy. Although his hotel costs are expected to be covered, he said communication from the airline has been inconsistent, creating fear among travelers worried about mounting expenses.

Dubai has experienced drone and missile activity, with damage reported at the airport and several hotels, though no deaths have been confirmed. Cassidy said the ongoing explosions and interceptions have made conditions tense, leaving many stranded passengers feeling abandoned as they wait for a confirmed route home.