"Everything was handled smoothly."
An Indian man stuck in Doha has praised Qatar Airways for its support amid the ongoing conflict in Iran.
A coordinated US and Israeli military offensive against Iran has shaken the Middle East. Airstrikes began in the early hours of February 28, targeting multiple Iranian cities.
In retaliation, Iran launched attacks across the region, striking locations in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait. The escalating conflict forced the closure of airports and airspace, leaving thousands of travellers stranded.
Web video producer Ershad Kaleebullah took to X to share the support Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport have provided.
He wrote: “This is an appreciation post for @qatarairways and @HIAQatar.
“Food coupons were distributed to everyone at the airport. You could just redeem them at the food court. For all meals, no less.”
Sharing how ground staff handled the evacuation, he said:
“We had decided to stay at the lounge until the airspace opened. In fact, we went off to sleep at 10:30 pm itself.
“At 12:30 am, we were all woken up by the lounge staff and asked to move to the transfer desk.
“The entire airport was getting evacuated, including the staff. Everything was handled smoothly.
“Every single staff was attentive and answering questions with a smile. Even if they didn’t have answers, they made us feel very, very comfortable.”
Ershad added that stranded passengers were accommodated in five-star hotels in Doha, with meals arranged.
He also described the hotel staff as being “kind and responsive” during the crisis.
His post drew widespread attention online.
One user responded: “Fantastic to hear about such sensitivity. That itself, I feel, outweighs any other form of respite. Something to learn in there. Hope you make it back home soon! Take care!”
Another wrote: “Good to hear that they’re doing a good job on the ground.
“They should spare one person to man their Twitter account properly, though, because a lot of people are coming there for information, and because the official account is silent, there are a load of scammers pretending to be Qatar customer services trying to get people to DM them their details!”
A third added:
“Massive respect to @qatarairways and @HIAQatar for handling such a stressful situation with so much care and dignity.”
“This is how disruption management should be done.
“Wish all airlines followed this standard, still waiting on refunds from a cancelled @IndiGo6E flight from Dec 1st week 2025. As always, stay safe, bro,”
This is an appreciation post for @qatarairways and @HIAQatar.
– Food coupons were distributed to everyone at the airport. You could just redeem them at the food court. For all meals, no less.
– We had decided to stay at the lounge until the airspace opened. In fact, we went… pic.twitter.com/ReWr1PDB2U
— Ershad Kaleebullah (@r3dash) March 1, 2026
The Middle East remained volatile for a third day.
Iran expanded its retaliation following joint US-Israeli strikes that killed its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several senior military and political figures.
Large-scale disruptions have hit international travel.
Hundreds of flights were cancelled across major Indian airports, including Delhi and Mumbai, as multiple Middle Eastern nations shut their airspace.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation said its Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) has been actively addressing grievances and travel-related queries.
Airlines have urged passengers to monitor flight updates closely. Schedules remain subject to rapid change as the security situation evolves.
Loading ...