Escalation in the Middle East: Poles stranded at airports, LOT Polish Airlines suspends flights

The sudden escalation of armed conflict in the Middle East triggered an immediate reaction from the global aviation sector and Polish diplomacy. The decision to attack targets on Iranian territory by the forces of the United States and Israel led to the imposition of an air blockade over key regional transport hubs. The most difficult situation is in Dubai, which has been de facto cut off from the world after Emirates announced a complete suspension of operations. Passengers in terminals report an atmosphere of panic and perceptible secondary shocks caused by military actions. Polish airline LOT Polish Airlines has officially suspended flights to Tel Aviv until March 3, 2026. The carrier is monitoring the situation in the region, and decisions regarding flights to Dubai and Riyadh are being made on an ongoing basis depending on the status of the airspace. This decision has affected the plans of thousands of travelers, including passengers departing from airports in Katowice, Kraków, and Warsaw. Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski informed during an evening address that the Polish side had some advance knowledge of a possible attack. The head of diplomacy emphasized that Prime Minister Donald Tusk had previously warned against the risk of travel to this region. Currently, Polish consular services are focused on monitoring the number of Polish citizens stranded in transit zones. Media reports mention numerous public figures, including celebrities and artists, posting dramatic appeals for help on social media. Among them was Marcelina Zawadzka, who reported on the difficult situation in Dubai under fire, and Agnieszka Włodarczyk. The Polish Army issued a statement assuring the safety of Polish contingents stationed in the region, but the situation remains highly dynamic and depends on the further development of military actions. Relations between Iran and Israel have remained extremely tense since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, and the current escalation is a direct consequence of a series of incidents on the Tehran-Washington line and the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Airport authorities in Katowice and Kraków confirmed flight cancellations, directly affecting approximately 2,000 passengers at just one of these airports. Carriers are urging travelers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport, as the situation in the airspace over Iraq, Jordan, and Iran is changing by the minute. MFA has issued the highest level of warning, appealing to Poles in the area to exercise extreme caution, remain in safe shelters, and strictly follow the instructions of local rescue services and embassy communications. Security experts indicate that the current crisis could have lasting effects on global oil prices and the stability of transport routes connecting Europe with Asia. „To będzie miało wpływ na nas, na nasze bezpieczeństwo i na sytuację w całym regionie.” (This will have an impact on us, on our security, and on the situation in the entire region.) — Radosław Sikorski