By Carol Sichone
A Zambian traveller and Dotcom Zambia CEO, Mawano Kambeu, is stuck in the United Arab Emirates following widespread flight cancellations triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East that have forced the closure of key airspace corridors.
In an interview with Zambian Business Times (ZBT), Kambeu said he travelled to Dubai on Thursday 26th February 2026 for business and was scheduled to return to Zambia on Sunday 1st March morning after concluding his meetings on Friday.
However, developments in the region disrupted his travel plans.
“You start to hear the news that they’ve shut down the airspace, the airport is closed and there are no more planes in the air. At that point, you automatically know that the flight has been cancelled,” Kambeu said.
Major international carriers, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, have cancelled hundreds of flights as airports suspend operations amid security concerns linked to heightened hostilities involving Iran and the United States.
Among the most affected facilities is Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, which has seen significant flight suspensions. Regional hub Hamad International Airport has also been impacted, creating ripple effects across global aviation networks, including routes frequently used by African travelers.
Kambeu told ZBT that by Monday night, Dubai time, he had been stuck for over a day after his Sunday departure was cancelled.
“The biggest challenge initially was accommodation, especially not really knowing what to do. There was no clear information. The airport is closed, and even the airline offices here are closed,” he explained.
He noted that the airline has not provided accommodation or meals, with communication limited to periodic website updates extending cancellations incrementally.
“First, it was cancelled until Monday. Now it’s cancelled until Tuesday. That’s all the information they are providing at the moment,” he said.
Kambeu added that the Zambian Embassy in the UAE had issued a notice encouraging nationals who require assistance to make themselves known, though he had not yet sought formal support.
Drawing from his experience as a frequent traveller, he opted to secure his own accommodation.
“I first booked for one day, then realized the situation would take longer. I’ve now extended my booking until Friday because even when things are resolved, the backlog and chaos on the first day can be overwhelming,” he said.
Despite the travel disruption, Kambeu described Dubai as largely calm.
“Overall, Dubai is quite quiet and safe. Restaurants and shops are open. There’s no curfew,” he said.
However, he recounted a tense moment when emergency alerts were simultaneously triggered across mobile phones.
“All the phones went off at the same time with warning messages telling people to seek shelter. You could even hear explosions. That was scary. But outside of that, it’s been relatively calm,” he said.
Kambeu described the disruption as emotionally taxing, noting that being away from home during uncertainty is unsettling.
“Obviously, you just want to be back home. You’re alone in a foreign place,” he said.
Fortunately, he has been able to work remotely, which has helped him remain productive and ease concerns from family members in Zambia.
“With technology, I can work remotely, and that has kept me busy. Otherwise, I would just be sitting around,” he said.
Aviation analysts indicate that prolonged airspace closures in the Gulf region could have broader implications for trade and travel, particularly for African passengers who rely on Middle Eastern hubs as key transit points to Europe, Asia and North America.
For now, Kambeu remains in Dubai awaiting confirmation on when flights will safely resume.
