Utahns stranded in Dubai as war in Iran complicates air travel
Mar 4, 2026, 4:00 PM
From left, David Lloyd, Kathy Lloyd, Toni McKay, and David McKay speak with KSL from their hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Zoom screengrab)
(Zoom screengrab)
SALT LAKE CITY – Some Utahns are left stranded as air travel is restricted across the Middle East because of war in Iran.
David and Kathy Lloyd, of Farmington, and David and Toni McKay, of Kaysville, have been on a group tour of holy sites since mid-February. Their itinerary took them to the United Arab Emirates for the final leg of the trip.
But their time in the Middle East coincided with the United States and Israel launching their attack against Iran, which then responded by hitting neighboring countries.
Late last week, as the Utah couples and their fellow travelers were visiting a mosque in the United Arab Emirates, missiles started coming in, and everyone had to leave and shelter in place, they told KSL. The Dubai International Airport was one of three major airports directly hit by a strike, the Associated Press reported.
They’ve now been in Dubai for several days. They were supposed to get home three days ago. Each day, they said, is a waiting game.
A plume of smoke caused by an Iranian strike is seen in the background as an Emirates plane is parked at the Dubai International Airport after its closure in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
“The government has said shelter in place, and there are some individuals on the tour group that have not left the hotel, and that’s just how they feel,” said David Lloyd via Zoom from their hotel in Dubai. “But we’ve been a little bit more out and about and just being aware of our situation.”
“We do hear missiles going off and being intercepted but we have not felt really like we’re in danger,” said his wife, Kathy Lloyd. “But every day our flights continue to be canceled with Emirates, so we are just patiently waiting until we finally can get on a plane and come home.”
They had flights booked for Thursday, but they learned today, Wednesday, those had been canceled.
“Every day it’s a rebook, refund. Rebook, refund,” said Toni McKay.
The U.S. has encouraged Americans in the Middle East to leave immediately, but limited flights are making that challenging, CNN reported.
The Lloyds and McKays told KSL they feel safe in Dubai despite being so close to the war, but they hope to return to Utah soon.
“I’m grateful for our military,” said Kathy Lloyd, “and we’re praying for them as they are defending our country and putting their lives in harm’s way.”
Related: Americans stranded in the Middle East told to shelter-in-place, wait for chance to leave
