Stranded in Doha
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain, finds himself stranded in Doha, Qatar, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This situation has persisted for over a week, as flights have been severely affected by hostilities following U.S. and Israeli military actions that commenced on February 28. A source familiar with the matter, who wished to remain anonymous, reported this to the Associated Press on Tuesday.
Challenges in Returning to Paris
Al-Khelaifi is eager to return to Paris before the UEFA Champions League’s round-of-16 clash against Chelsea, scheduled for Wednesday. His attempts to secure a flight for late Tuesday or early Wednesday have become complicated due to limited flight availability, leaving many passengers waiting until nearly departure times if their travel has been approved.
Wider Impact of the Conflict
The war’s impact extends far beyond the immediate region, creating extensive travel disruptions. Iran’s retaliatory strikes against Gulf states have led to significant airspace restrictions, forcing many airlines to cancel flights or divert to longer routes. Travelers, including U.S. citizens, have expressed growing concerns and frustrations as they face airport closures and flight cancellations.
Signs of Stabilization
However, recent reports indicate that flight schedules may be stabilizing. British officials announced on Tuesday that commercial flights from the United Arab Emirates to the UK are gradually returning to pre-crisis levels, with 32 flights recorded on Monday and another 36 planned for Tuesday. Additionally, the UK government has facilitated several charter flights from Oman and Dubai, enabling over 45,000 British nationals to return home since the onset of the conflict.
PSG’s Upcoming Match
As for PSG, they currently hold the title of European champions and will welcome Chelsea to the Parc des Princes for the initial leg of their knockout round showdown, with a return game set for next week.
