The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights, including some in Southern California.
At LAX, flights to and from Dubai and Doha, the capital of Qatar, were on time as of Monday afternoon, while one flight to Tel Aviv, Israel, was canceled.
While some flights have been able to land and take off in the region, Helena Woods has been stuck in Dubai and unable to catch a plane home to Paris.
“I can’t get back,” Woods said. “There’s no flights, everything shut down and there’s no way to leave.”
Woods is at a business convention in the United Arab Emirates where airspace remains closed, according to flight-tracking site Flightradar24.
Many flights coming in and out of the Middle East were canceled after the U.S. launched military strikes in Iran.
Woods said drone or missile interceptions may have occurred near where she is staying.
“My whole body was shaking because it was so loud,” she said.
Woods said there aren’t any other travel options, and that she’s nervous about getting on a plane.
“I would like to get home as soon as possible, but I also want this to die down a little bit before I feel comfortable getting on a flight,” Woods said.
The U.S. Department of State issued a security alert advising citizens to follow the guidance of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
The department’s travel advisory map shows “do not travel” alerts for some locations in the Middle East.
“I feel safer in Dubai than being up in the air in a plane right now,” Woods said. “I do feel very safe and protected by the UAE government.”
The UAE said it would cover the food and accommodation costs of travelers stranded in the country.
U.S. citizens impacted by the situation are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which allows the State Department to contact them during emergencies.