KUALA LUMPUR - A Malaysian consultant on a business trip to Dubai has been stranded for three days after the emirate’s airports were shut due to the Middle East conflict.
Allan Sandosham, 66, arrived at Dubai International Airport on Thursday (Feb 26) and was due to fly to Singapore on Sunday (March 1).
"I finished my meeting with a client on Friday and had already obtained my boarding pass for the Sunday flight when news broke that the airport had closed,” said Allan, who works in the oil and gas industry.
The cancellation derailed his schedule, as he was set to conduct a five-day workshop in Singapore this week.
"I’ve had to run the workshop online from my room at Novotel Deira City Center for the past two days, starting at 5 am,” he told Bernama in a WhatsApp interview on Tuesday night.
He said there has been virtually no communication from Emirates, and reopening appears unlikely in the immediate term.
While he has resigned himself to completing the workshop remotely, Allan is concerned about the cost of his extended stay.
"I have emailed the Malaysian Embassy regarding my situation and hope to be considered if the government arranges an evacuation,” said Allan, who is on his first visit to Dubai.
He noted that even if commercial flights resume this weekend, a backlog is inevitable, as there are typically three daily flights from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur.
"There was an official notification from Abu Dhabi that the government would cover food and accommodation for those stranded there, but we have heard nothing from Dubai,” he added.
Allan has been keeping in touch with his family and friends in Malaysia and elsewhere and hopes to return home soon. - BERNAMA