Middle East Travel Key Information

Here is some practical guidance for people currently stuck or transiting in the Middle East amid the current conflict, plus some key links to government travel advice and airlines.

This is not legal advice.

1. Immediate safety steps

1. Follow local authority instructions and official alerts above all else.
   Several governments are advising people in countries such as Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Israel and Palestine to shelter in place

   

   , remain indoors in a secure location, and avoid all travel unless specifically instructed otherwise.

2. Stay away from military sites, government buildings, and large gatherings.
   Authorities warn that conflict can increase the risk of terrorism, reprisals and civil unrest, particularly in places where tourists gather, around embassies and other foreign interests.
3. Know where you will shelter if needed.
   Some foreign offices advise that, if told to shelter, you should stay indoors or move to an interior room or stairwell with as few external walls and windows as possible, and have basic supplies ready (water, food, medicines, chargers, power bank).

2. Dealing with flights and airports

Current situation

• Large sections of airspace over Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Syria are closed, with partial closures and restrictions in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
• Major hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha have suspended many or all flights at times, leaving aircraft grounded and passengers stranded.
• International airlines (e.g., Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, and others) have cancelled or rerouted services in and around the region, with knock‑on delays on long‑haul routes between Europe, Asia, and beyond.

3. What to do if you are stranded or your flight is cancelled

1. Use your airline’s official channels first.
   • Check your booking in the airline’s app or website (Manage Booking/My Trips) before going to the airport desk.
   • If your flight is within the next 24–48 hours and you have no update, then call or use live chat; call centres are extremely busy, so expect long waits. cnn smt
2. Do not cancel your ticket on your own unless advised.
   Official travel-advice services stress that cancelling yourself can affect your right to a refund or rebooking and may not be covered by insurance if it is considered a voluntary cancellation. smt
3. Ask clearly about your options:
   • Free date changes or re-routing.
   • Refunds if you decide not to travel.
   • Hotel and meal vouchers if you are stranded due to cancellations.
     Some airlines have introduced temporary waivers allowing free rebooking or refunds within set dates; policies differ by airline and are changing frequently. cnn
4. Accommodation and basic needs if stuck in hub airports.
   There are reports that authorities in some countries (for example, the UAE) have asked hotels to extend stays and cover costs for passengers unable to leave for reasons beyond their control, affecting tens of thousands of travellers.
   • Check with your airline’s airport desk about hotel arrangements, meal vouchers and transfers.
   • Keep receipts for any out‑of‑pocket expenses for possible insurance claims later.
5. If you are in a third country (e.g. on a stopover) and just want to get home:
   • Ask your airline about routing you home via a completely different region (e.g., Europe or Asia instead of the Gulf).
   • If they cannot help in a reasonable timeframe, speak to your travel agent or insurer before buying a separate one‑way ticket, to avoid losing your existing rights.

4.

Government & foreign office advice – key links

You should follow the travel and consular advice of your own government first. Many governments are:

• Advising against all or all‑but‑essential travel to multiple Middle Eastern countries.
• In some cases, urging citizens already there to shelter in place or to leave while commercial flights are still available.
• Discussing or preparing potential evacuation/repatriation flights from the region.

Useful official pages (you’ll need the one for your own nationality):

• United Kingdom – Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
  Foreign travel advice by country:
  https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
  Many UK nationals in Bahrain, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait are being asked to shelter and to register their presence so they can receive direct updates. bbc aol
• United States – Department of State
  Travel advisories and country pages:
  https://travel.state.gov/
  US citizens are advised to exercise increased caution worldwide and to enrol in the STEP program (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) so embassies can contact them in an emergency.
• Australia – Smartraveller (DFAT)
  Middle East conflict update:
  https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/global-travel-impacts-conflict-middle-east
  Australia warns that military conflict has caused widespread airspace closures and that travel to or through the region may leave you unable to depart if the situation escalates.
• Canada – Travel Advice and Advisories
  https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
  Canada has tightened guidance for multiple Middle Eastern states and urges citizens in some locations (e.g. Iran) to leave while it is still safe to do so.
• EU and other states
  Citizens of EU and other countries should check their own foreign ministry or travel-advice sites; many (Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Cyprus, etc.) have strengthened warnings for Iran, Israel and neighbouring countries.

Where available, register your presence or subscribe to email/SMS updates for the country you are in; this is how governments will push out instructions about sheltering, moving, or any evacuation flights.

5. Key airline links (manage bookings & travel updates)

Use these pages to check flight status, rebook, or find specific disruption advisories:

• Emirates – Manage Booking & travel updates:
  https://www.emirates.com/ → “Manage” / “Travel updates”
  Emirates has at times suspended flights to and from its hub due to airspace closures.
• Etihad Airways – Manage & travel alerts:
  https://www.etihad.com/ → “Manage” / “Travel alerts”
  Etihad has suspended some flights from Abu Dhabi in response to the situation.
• Qatar Airways – Manage Booking & travel alerts:
  https://www.qatarairways.com/ → “Manage booking” / “Travel alerts”
  Qatar Airways operations through Doha have been temporarily suspended during Qatari airspace closures. cnn bbc
• British Airways – Manage My Booking & latest travel news:
  https://www.ba.com/ → “Manage My Booking” / “Latest travel news”
  BA has cancelled services to some destinations (e.g. Tel Aviv, Bahrain) and warns of wider disruption on routes to and through the region.
• Lufthansa – Manage booking & information:
  https://www.lufthansa.com/ → “My bookings” / “Travel information”
  Lufthansa has suspended certain routes to the Middle East (including Dubai, Tel Aviv and others) for specific periods.
• Virgin Atlantic – Manage flights & travel news:
  https://www.virginatlantic.com/ → “My booking” / “Travel news”
  Virgin Atlantic has suspended some routes (e.g. to Riyadh and Dubai) and warns of longer flight times due to rerouting.

For other carriers (Turkish Airlines, Air India, IndiGo, etc.), use their main websites or apps and look for sections titled “Travel alerts”, “Important information”, or “Disruption updates”.

6. If you have future travel booked via the Middle East

Even if you are not currently in the region, your journey may be affected:

• Official advice notes that airspace closures and cancellations in the Middle East can disrupt global routes and connections, even if your destination is elsewhere. smt
• If you are not travelling within the next 48 hours, many travel-advice bodies suggest waiting for your airline or agent to contact you, as call centres are overwhelmed. smt
• Before cancelling, check:
  • Foreign office advice for your destination and transit points.
  • Whether your airline has issued a waiver.
  • What your travel insurance covers in relation to conflict, cancellations and “do not travel” advisories.

7. Practical tips while you wait

• Keep your passport, visas and proof of onward travel on you, plus digital copies stored securely online.
• Have local cash as ATMs and card systems can be disrupted.
• Stay in regular contact with family/friends and let someone know your exact location and plans.
• Use only trusted news sources and official channels; misinformation spreads quickly during conflicts.
• If you feel overwhelmed or anxious, look for reputable mental‑health support hotlines (many insurers and some embassies can point you to local providers).
• Northern Ireland Consumer Council Consumer Advice. Click Here
• ABTA My flight’s been delayed, what are my rights?  Click Here
  
• Foreign Office advice to the UAE Click Here
• Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Click Here

 

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