The feeling of relief was palpable as nearly 400 passengers disembarked a flight from Dubai in Dublin on Wednesday night. For many, the overwhelming sentiment was simply, “It’s so good to be home.” This sentiment echoed the relief of those aboard the Emirates flight, which marked the first direct arrival in Dublin in several days. The flight’s operation followed disruptions caused by United States-Israeli actions against Iran, which led to widespread airspace closures across the Middle East.
Norita Geary, a passenger on the flight, described the scene upon landing. “Everyone clapped when the plane landed and we all cheered,” she recalled. This moment of shared relief was a stark contrast to the uncertainty experienced during their journey. Geary added, “It was unreal. I mean you see these things on television, you see them in movies but you just don’t think you’ll end up there yourself.”
A second flight rerouting through Dubai to Dublin was scheduled for Thursday, carrying another approximate 400 passengers. Rushali Lakhani expressed her gratitude for her safe return, stating she is “very happy” and “very grateful” to be back. She characterized the preceding days as a “stressful time,” but emphasized her thankfulness for her safe passage. Lakhani also described the experience as “nerve-wracking” and leading to “sleepless nights.” The intermittent sounds of distant activity heightened anxieties. “A lot of sleepless nights. There were no airplanes flying so whenever we heard some noises we knew that it wasn’t good news,” she elaborated.
Susan and Monica Miller were present at the airport at the time of the initial escalations. They described this period as “the most traumatic part,” recounting hours spent queuing to exit the airport. Susan mentioned observing local UAE fighter jets patrolling the skies. Although they could hear some noises, their location, approximately 30 minutes west of the airport, meant they were not in the most immediate areas of concern. She conveyed their elation at being home, calling it an “emotional” experience and indicating a preference for domestic travel for the immediate future, suggesting “staycations for a little while.”
Alex Anderson, a resident of Frankfurt, Germany, faced a more complex journey. He had intended to transit through Dubai from Malaysia to return home to Germany. Describing his experience, he said it was “really difficult.” Anderson recalled witnessing missile trails during his flight into Dubai, initially unaware of their nature. The realization of the situation upon landing was a shock. “It was a bit of chaos,” he noted, adding that awaiting information in his hotel room was “nerve-racking.” This period was compounded by the “frustration of getting the flights cancelled.”
Mark O’Kane, who has resided in Dubai for 24 years, traveled to Dublin with his daughter. He drew a parallel between the situation and his past experiences, stating, “It would remind you a bit of the Troubles, you know, growing up you hear bombs. But life goes on.” O’Kane did, however, commend the city’s safety measures, adding, “The only thing I can say is it felt safe, the defence systems in Dubai were fantastic.”
Elizabeth was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her partner, Josh, who had been delayed in Dubai since Saturday on his return from Australia. She described the experience as “really scary” and “a really mixed experience.” Her account highlighted the challenges of separation and confinement, comparing it to “Covid and lockdown where you just have been separated and stuck in a hotel room.” She also noted that Josh’s group had received a warning upon their arrival, necessitating shelter away from windows.
Josh was staying in a hotel located near the Burj Khalifa. Elizabeth recounted an incident where, during their only excursion from the hotel, a “massive explosion” occurred. This event prompted an immediate return, with “everyone just rushed back inside” as a second event was perceived.