Wizz Air’s profits already had been falling before it decided to exit its Abu Dhabi operations and before an unprecedented Iranian strike on a U.S. military base in neighboring Qatar that shocked travelers in the region. The Arab Gulf states have long been viewed as a safe haven from the violence and instability in the broader Middle East.

The low-cost airline offered one-way tickets starting from Dh129, depending on the route and season. This made international travel possible for many who had never imagined they could afford it.