Emma Graham, Bureau Chief of CNBC Middle East, was vacationing in Goa when escalating U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran spiraled into a broader regional conflict.
Her return to the United Arab Emirates initially seemed impossible after her scheduled flight was cancelled amid widespread airspace closures. With uncertainty growing, she traveled to Mumbai, planning to head onward to Singapore for work. However, in a surprising turn of events, she secured a seat on a limited Emirates repatriation flight bound for Dubai.
The airline had opened last-minute bookings for UAE nationals and residents stranded abroad. After consulting with her security team and weighing the potential risks, Graham chose to return home.
At the time, most commercial flights in and out of the UAE were suspended, stranding thousands of passengers worldwide and triggering significant global travel disruption. Emirates and Etihad were operating only restricted repatriation services to bring back residents and tourists.
Graham boarded a half-full Airbus A380 from Mumbai to Dubai. Among the passengers were Emirati nationals and expatriates who had struggled for days to find a way home, with some forced to consider expensive and exhausting land routes through neighboring countries.
As the aircraft approached Dubai, tension suddenly mounted. The captain announced that Iranian missiles targeting the UAE had led to a temporary airspace closure, forcing the plane to turn back.
Shock rippled through the cabin.
Minutes later, clearance to land was granted after air defense systems successfully intercepted the missiles. The sense of relief was immediate — applause broke out across the aircraft.
The plane finally touched down at an unusually quiet Dubai airport in the early hours of Tuesday morning. After hours of uncertainty and anxiety, Graham described feeling deeply grateful and relieved to be home safely.
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