The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan has warned that many citizens have lost contact with travel agents and operators following the closure of airspace over seven Middle Eastern countries. The ministry accused these companies of manipulation and called on them to fulfill their obligations to customers.

According to officials, tour operators and agents are cutting off communication with passengers, failing to provide information in force majeure situations, and shifting responsibility to diplomats instead of offering assistance. Meanwhile, insurance policies included in tour packages are supposed to cover costs for accommodation, transport, and evacuation.

The ministry demanded that companies ensure the rebooking of tickets for regular flights from available airports in Saudi Arabia and coordinate actions with authorities. Airspace over Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, and Israel remains closed, but airports in Dammam and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, are operating normally.

As of the morning of March 7, 63 flights have been operated from Medina and Jeddah airports since February 28, delivering 13,543 Uzbek citizens. Additionally, 1,401 people have been evacuated from Dubai, and foreign carriers have brought in another 1,365 passengers. Nearly 95% of those evacuated arrived in the region on tour packages.

This situation has exposed regulatory challenges in Uzbekistan's tourism sector, as the ministry plans to take measures against operators evading responsibility. Previously, it was reported that as of the morning of March 5, 9,361 compatriots had safely returned from Middle Eastern countries.

Source: podrobno.uz