More than 580 residents are trapped in Dubai and across the region after US and Israeli strikes on Iran close major air corridors
A Week of Fear for Hong Kong Residents Caught in the Conflict
More than 580 Hong Kong residents found themselves stranded across the Middle East this week after the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran, triggering the closure of major regional airspace and the cancellation of dozens of flights between Hong Kong and Gulf destinations. The conflict, which began with US and Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday, has widened to multiple fronts after Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes at US and Israeli military installations in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Cathay Pacific Cancels All Middle East Flights
Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific was among the first Asian airlines to respond, suspending all passenger and cargo flights to Dubai and Riyadh until at least March 14. Hundreds of passengers crowded the departure counters at Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday seeking information about their suspended journeys. Many had been heading to the region for business, leisure or family visits, and found themselves suddenly without options. Hundreds of passengers crowded departure counters at Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday as flights across the region were grounded. Immigration authorities said they had received inquiries from 585 residents as of Tuesday afternoon, with four having successfully left the region. The remainder confirmed they were in safe locations, though many described scenes of anxiety in their hotels as sirens sounded and distant explosions could be heard.
First Flight Home Arrives Wednesday
The first flight from the Middle East since the conflict began landed in Hong Kong on Wednesday night, an Emirates plane from Dubai carrying stranded residents including mainland Chinese nationals. Among those on board was jockey Karis Teetan, a prominent figure in Hong Kong racing who had been competing in Dubai. Teetan told local media he had spent days checking for flights from his hotel room, feeling scared but relieved to finally be home.
The Human Stories Behind the Figures
Martin Yeung, a Hong Kong resident stranded in Dubai, captured the experience in a social media post that resonated widely. He described Sunday evening at his hotel as alarms suddenly blared, with visible fire flashes and the sound of distant explosions. Guests filed into the lobby from their rooms, uneasy but maintaining composure and smiling at one another. His words — “I hope to return to Hong Kong safely, and soon” — spoke for hundreds of others in similar situations. Also stranded in Dubai was the Hong Kong women’s football team, which had been competing in the UAE when the conflict erupted.
A City Connected to the World — for Better and Worse
Hong Kong’s deep connections to the Middle East — through trade, finance, tourism and the substantial expat community working in Gulf cities — mean that regional conflicts have an unusually direct impact on the city’s residents. The disruption to flights and the humanitarian anxiety of this week underline the risks that come with Hong Kong’s openness. The city has long positioned itself as a connector between East and West, between Asia and the Gulf. That openness, which has made Hong Kong prosperous, also means its people bear the cost when global order fractures. The International Committee of the Red Cross has called for the protection of civilians across the conflict zone. The International Air Transport Association is monitoring airspace closures and working with airlines on rerouting options. For democracy advocates, the crisis carries an additional layer of meaning. Hong Kong residents who are stranded abroad cannot count on a government that is fully responsive to their interests and wellbeing, in the way that citizens of democratic states can. The city’s Security Bureau has maintained a red travel warning for Iran and urged caution, but formal evacuation support has been limited. This is the reality of life in a city whose government is accountable primarily to Beijing rather than to its own people.
Hoi Lam
Lifestyle, Gender & Society Journalist, Apple Daily UK
Contact: hoilam@appledaily.uk
Hoi Lam is a lifestyle and society journalist whose work focuses on gender issues, family dynamics, and everyday social change within Chinese and diaspora communities. She completed her journalism education at a leading Chinese journalism school, where she specialized in feature writing, interview techniques, and ethical storytelling.
Her reporting career includes contributions to Apple Daily and other liberal Chinese magazines and newspapers, covering topics such as women’s rights, work-life balance, generational change, and evolving social norms. Hoi Lam’s work is grounded in firsthand interviews and contextual research, ensuring authenticity and factual integrity.
She brings newsroom experience in balancing human-interest storytelling with rigorous fact-checking and responsible framing. Her writing avoids sensationalism and prioritizes accurate representation of sources and lived experiences.
Hoi Lam’s authority is reinforced by sustained publication within reputable media outlets and compliance with editorial review and correction standards. She is trusted by editors for her careful handling of sensitive subjects and ethical clarity.
At Apple Daily UK, Hoi Lam contributes credible, experience-based journalism that documents social realities with accuracy, empathy, and professional discipline.
