1 hour ago
Last Updated:March 14, 2026, 17:36 IST
Having returned from their dreamy wedding -- involving a luxurious five-star property, and a walkway with soft rose petals -- the couple was facing a far less pleasant scenario.
Image for representation (Credits: AFP)
Simona Musu and Dean Scheepers were on cloud nine when they landed at the Maldives’ Malé-Velana Airport on February 22. The couple, who are natives of South Africa, live in Amsterdam. They travelled to the island country to exchange marital vows in an intimate beach ceremony and celebrate their love.
“We felt so glamorous. We went straight from the airport, and there was someone standing with our names on a sign who took us to the seaplane and then to our resort", Musu told CNN Travel.
A week later, the couple returned to the airport. Only this time, they were not happy. Their flight back to the Netherlands the day prior, along with thousands of others across the world, had been cancelled.
The reason? The February 28 joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which pushed the aviation sector into a widespread disruption, leaving thousands and lakhs of passengers stranded in various parts of the world.
‘Had A Nightmare’
The following Monday, at least a hundred of passengers thronged Malé, charging mobile phones, sleeping in any available space and tending to young children. Scheepers says it didn’t look like they spent a vacation on an island.
Musu and Scheepers were in a fix. Having returned from their dreamy wedding — involving a luxurious five-star property, a private white-sand beach, and a walkway filled with soft rose petals — the couple was facing a far less pleasant scenario.
With no place to stay, no options for upcoming flights, and totally clueless about how they would return home — where the families waiting to celebrate the occasion — it was no less than a nightmare for Musu and Scheepers.
“The wedding day was just perfect, beautiful, everything went to plan. From there on, downhill. It’s been an absolute nightmare", Musu told CNN Travel.
After the war started, the air travel was badly hit, with thousands of flights getting cancelled and the aviation sector plunging into massive losses worth crores.
According to data from aviation analysts Cirium received by CNN on March 13, around 52,000 flights in West Asia have been cancelled since the strikes began, affecting around six million travelers from around the globe.
The Way Back Home
After spending two weeks in confusion and anxiety, a Dutch family gave the couple a tip about possible availability of flights on Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, Saudia.
Scheepers quickly checked the website — only to find there was no flight available. However, they didn’t lose hope. One recent morning at breakfast, Musu couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw two seats available on a Saudia flight scheduled for March 13.
On Wednesday, Musu and Scheepers successfully checked in for their Saudia flight to Netherlands — which includes a 25-hour journey along with a 13-hour overnight layover in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
First Published:
March 14, 2026, 17:36 IST
News world Eloped To Marry, Stuck In Conflict: Amsterdam Couple Stranded In Maldives Amid West Asia War
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Read More
