On May 7, 2025, over 180 Russian tourists found themselves stranded at Abu Dhabi International Airport after their flight to Moscow was abruptly canceled due to a night attack by Ukrainian drones on the Russian capital. The AirArabia flight, which was scheduled to depart at 1:30 AM local time, never took off, leaving passengers in a dire situation.
Reports indicate that these travelers have been waiting in the terminal for more than eight hours without access to food or water. Frustration is mounting as they receive little to no assistance from the airline. According to passengers, AirArabia representatives have not offered any accommodation or temporary lodging, instead advising them to cancel their existing tickets and purchase new ones. Meanwhile, their luggage remains stuck on the aircraft, with no way to retrieve it.
"We were left completely in the dark. No one is telling us anything," one traveler lamented. "We have been here for hours, and the airline just keeps saying to cancel our tickets. It’s unacceptable!" This sentiment is echoed by many who are grappling with the uncertainty of when they might be able to return home.
Adding to the chaos, a similar scenario unfolded for passengers on an Aeroflot flight from Dubai to Moscow. This flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Kazan due to the closure of Sheremetyevo Airport, also a result of the drone attacks. The Aeroflot plane landed around 1 AM, but passengers were left waiting on the tarmac for two hours without being allowed to disembark.
After finally being allowed off the aircraft, passengers were informed that a bus would take them to a hotel. However, they were later told that there were no available rooms, leaving them in a state of limbo. The expected departure time for the flight from Kazan is now set for 2:05 PM, though this has yet to be officially confirmed.
The situation has prompted outrage among travelers, particularly regarding the lack of communication from both AirArabia and the tour operator, Coral Travel. Many have reported that they have been unable to reach Coral Travel’s customer service, with the hotline remaining silent. One traveler expressed frustration, saying, "We booked through Coral Travel, and now they’ve gone missing. It’s as if we don’t exist. No one is here to help us!"
The travel chaos comes in the wake of heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the drone attacks marking a significant escalation in hostilities. As the conflict continues to unfold, the impact on civilians, particularly travelers caught in the crossfire, is becoming increasingly evident.
In recent years, both nations have experienced fluctuations in air travel due to geopolitical tensions, but this incident underscores the immediate consequences of military actions on ordinary citizens. With airports closing and flights being canceled, the travel plans of countless individuals are thrown into disarray.
As the day progresses, the stranded tourists in Abu Dhabi are left to wonder how long they will remain in the airport and what their next steps should be. Many are calling for urgent intervention from the Russian government, urging officials to assist citizens who find themselves in such precarious situations.
While some passengers have turned to social media to voice their frustrations and seek assistance, others are simply trying to maintain hope amidst the uncertainty. "We just want to get home safely," one traveler stated. "It’s been a nightmare, but we have to stay strong and hope for the best."
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the airlines and tour operators will respond to the growing discontent among travelers. For now, the stranded passengers continue to wait, hoping for a resolution that will allow them to return home.
