The U.S. State Department says it is preparing military and charter flights to help Americans leave the Middle East, as widespread flight cancellations continue to disrupt travel plans far beyond the region.
According to the State Department, about 9,000 Americans have already left the Middle East, with thousands more still waiting for flights. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said roughly 1,500 Americans are currently seeking assistance to depart.
“We have about 1,500 Americans that are requesting assistance with departure,” Rubio said. “We have identified and continue to identify charter flights, military flight options and expanded commercial flight options, meaning working with the airlines to send bigger airplanes with more seats.”
Rubio urged Americans abroad to stay in contact with the State Department as flight options evolve.
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“They have to register with us because as these options begin to open up and as they open up, we have to be able to call you,” Rubio said. “We have to be able to reach you. We have to be able to know where you’re staying.”
While the government focuses on Americans in the Middle East, travelers in other parts of the world are also feeling the impact of cancelled flights. Lauren Cozzi of Center City is among those stranded, despite not being anywhere near the region.
Cozzi had been traveling in Southeast Asia.
“I got to travel to Bali, I was in Singapore and Thailand,” she said, describing a trip filled with activities ranging from snorkeling to ATV rides and climbing a volcano at sunrise.
But her connecting flight home to Philadelphia, routed through Doha, Qatar, was cancelled, leaving her stuck in Bangkok, Thailand.
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“I looked on the news and I saw everything that happened and it’s really devastating to see,” Cozzi said. “And then I saw another news article about thousands of people that are stuck in all parts of Asia.”
Cozzi is now working to contact her airline in hopes of finding another way home.
Travel agent Jim Hughel of Town Place Travel and Cruises said it is difficult to predict how long flight disruptions will last, but he encouraged travelers to take precautions before booking future trips.
“If you do book anything in the future, make sure you take travel insurance,” Hughel said. “Because it’ll help you in a situation like this – travel delay, reimbursement, helping with additional costs.”
At Philadelphia International Airport, American Airlines typically operates a daily flight to and from Doha. Those flights have been cancelled since the weekend. The airline says it plans to resume flights to Doha on March 10, with return flights to Philadelphia resuming two days later.
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