AUDIO: Angriff auf den Iran: Schifffahrt und Flugreisende betroffen (1 Min)
Stand: 02.03.2026 12:12 Uhr
Thousands of travelers and several Hamburg-based ships are stranded in the Gulf region. The military strikes against Iran are having a massive impact on air and sea traffic, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.
Travelers and seafarers from Hamburg in the Gulf region are asking the same question: How do we obtain home safely? Shipping companies are shifting into crisis mode. Many are no longer sending their ships through the vital Strait of Hormuz, after Iran reportedly prohibited passage via radio communication, according to the Association of German Shipowners (VDR) in Hamburg. Hamburg-based shipping company Hapag-Lloyd is now avoiding waters south of Yemen, taking the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope. Hapag-Lloyd has also been levying a so-called war risk surcharge of $1,500 per standard container on routes to the Gulf region since Monday.
Flight Cancellations To and From Hamburg
Flights to the conflict region are simultaneously being canceled. In Hamburg, flights to Dubai, Doha, Tel Aviv, and Erbil, Iraq, have been affected. Lufthansa, Eurowings, Emirates, and Qatar Airlines are rerouting flights to avoid large portions of the region.
Tens of Thousands of Travelers Affected by German Tour Operators
Thousands of travelers are affected by the situation in the Middle East. German tour operators alone report that more than 30,000 tourists are impacted. Although not all are currently stranded in the region, many are indirectly affected, as Dubai is a crucial hub for air travel. “Some of my clients are stuck in South Africa, having booked flights through Dubai,” says Gabriele Kausche of the Reiselounge travel agency in Eidelstedt. “Because it’s unclear when flights with the scheduled airlines can accept place, we are booking alternative connections – customers have to pay extra for that.”
Wadephul Offers Little Hope for Quick Return
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) addressed stranded German citizens in the ARD program Caren Miosga. He offered little hope for a swift return, stating that regular departures are currently impossible in many locations due to closed airspace. Green Party politician Omid Nouripour called on the federal government to actively organize departures – via land routes to airports in neighboring countries.
