Thousands of German Tourists Stranded in Gulf as Iran Conflict Disrupts Travel

Berlin – As of Tuesday, March 10, 2026, nearly 2,000 German tourists remain stranded in the Gulf region due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, according to the German Travel Association (DRV). Even as authorities anticipate the evacuation of all German holidaymakers by Wednesday, the situation remains complex, with the majority of those still awaiting repatriation located in the United Arab Emirates.

Escalating Crisis and Flight Cancellations

The disruption to travel follows a wave of flight cancellations impacting up to 30,000 German tourists traveling with German tour operators after the outbreak of war on February 28. The conflict has prompted several countries to close their airspace, and numerous airlines have suspended flights to and from the crisis area. Lufthansa and its subsidiaries have ceased operations over Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the Saudi airport of Dammam until at least March 8, with UAE airspace avoidance extended until March 4. Deutsche Welle reports on the widespread impact.

Evacuation Efforts Underway

The German government has organized evacuation flights from Muscat, Oman, while commercial flights have resumed from airports within the UAE. The DRV has characterized the process of bringing German citizens home as “extremely complex.” NAMPA details these ongoing efforts.

Tour Operator Response and Support

Tour operators are prioritizing the safety and repatriation of their clients. Dertour has stated that guests unable to fly home or awaiting connecting flights have been contacted and are receiving on-site support. A crisis hotline has been established to provide assistance. Tui has also been actively working to return passengers, with over 2,000 guests from the cruise ship “Mein Schiff 4” already back in Germany as of March 7, 2026. Bluewin provides updates on the return of cruise passengers.

Ongoing Concerns and Travel Warnings

Planned trips to the affected region have been canceled due to travel warnings issued by the German Foreign Office. The DRV emphasizes that the focus remains on the situation in the affected regions and doing everything possible to facilitate the return of guests. Yahoo News confirms the continued challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Approximately 2,000 German tourists are still stranded in the Gulf region, primarily in the UAE.
• Up to 30,000 German travelers have been affected by flight cancellations due to the conflict.
• Evacuation flights are being organized by the German government and commercial airlines.
• Tour operators are providing on-site support and assistance to affected travelers.
• Travel to the affected region is discouraged due to ongoing safety concerns.