MIAMI – Fresh off a 15-hour flight from the middle east, passengers arriving at Miami International Airport on Qatar Airways are just happy to be on the ground in South Florida.
“We thought things might change for our flight but they didn’t,” said passenger Minesh Patel. “We got home safe.”
The Miami bound plane, direct from Doha, was already in the air when Iran fired several missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar.
Airspace was sealed off immediately in the region and Qatar Airways announced a temporary suspension of all of its flights, grounding many planes and forcing a wave of cancelations and delays.
The move only added to the anxiety of loved ones waiting it out in Miami.
“We weren’t sure he was going to make it, so we’re like okay, he’s already on the flight so at least he’s going to make it,” said Kalpma Patel, who was picking up her brother. “I feel sorry for the people going back. What’s going to happen now?”
Passengers departing on the sole return flight to Doha from Miami admit they’re concerned with the looming conflict.
“Some of the airspace’s are closed as we understand,” said traveler Shahi Imam.
They were relieved to find that it was business as usual at the check-in counter for the airline.
Qatar Airways finally lifted off Monday night after the airline used X to tell customers the airspace has since reopened over the country.
“We were heading off to Phuket and we were worried about all of the missiles and stuff going on,” said traveler David Brennan.