Nearly 8,000 passengers stranded in Qatar; Indian airlines announce repatriation flights to rescue citizens

The situation remains fluid as major hubs like Hamad International (Doha) and Dubai International (DXB) operate under severe restrictions. As of March 3, 2026, the closure of airspaces over Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia has left an estimated 8,000 passengers stranded in Qatar alone, with tens of thousands more affected across the Gulf.