A group of Queen’s University students were stranded at an airport in Doha, Qatar, after heightened hostilities in the Middle East prompted the closure of regional airspace and widespread flight disruptions.
Claire Hafner, a fourth-year undergraduate biology student, said the group had boarded a flight to Toronto following a field course in Sri Lanka, with a stopover in Doha, when she heard the announcement.
After being in the air for an hour and a half, “there was an announcement that the airspace was closed and we had to turn back,” he said.
The sanctions follow major strikes by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran, sharply intensifying tensions in the region.
In response, Iran responded by firing missiles at Israel and nearby Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, which immediately shut down airspace across the region.
“There was initial panic among myself and my classmates,” Hoffner said.
He said the Qatar Airways flight returned to Doha, where passengers were briefly kept on board before what he described as a “chaotic scene” inside the airport.
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“Everybody rushed off the plane in a huge crowd,” she said. “It was chaotic at first – there were crowds and lines everywhere and trying to talk to staff. Everyone was dealing differently, but we were all overwhelmed.”
Several hours later, the group was told they would not be flying out Saturday night.
Hafner said they are still waiting on when the airspace will reopen.
“There’s been a sense of anxiety ever since,” he said. “There’s a sinking feeling in your gut, and you can read the news and you know what’s going on outside, even if you’re protected at the airport.”
Some students quickly bought electronic SIM cards to keep in touch with family back home, he said.
Trying to remain optimistic, Hafner told Global News, “We’re in a safe place, the airport feels like a safe place. I’m so lucky to be traveling with these classmates and my professors.”
Queen’s University said it was in direct contact with faculty leaders traveling with the group.
“We recognize that this situation can be distressing for students and their families, and their safety and well-being is our top priority,” the university said in a statement to Global News.
“Queen’s is in direct contact with faculty leaders in Doha to offer support and assistance. We have been advised that the group is safe and currently at the airport.”
The university said it has partnered with International SOS to provide emergency assistance to community members traveling on university-sanctioned activities, and the group has access to 24-hour multilingual support, including assistance with flight arrangements.
“We remain in close contact with faculty leaders and will continue to provide support as they await further information on next steps,” the statement said.
Global Affairs Canada has updated travel advisories for Canadians traveling to and from Gulf countries including Israel, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, warning of “ongoing military activity” in the region.
Flights in and out of Canada to the region are experiencing cancellations and delays.
– with files from Daria Zargar
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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