Middle East conflict: What it means for your travel plans

Ongoing tensions in parts of the Middle East are affecting international travel, leading to delays, reroutes, and cancellations. If you’re planning a trip soon – especially if your journey includes a stopover in major hubs such as Dubai or Doha – you may be wondering how this could affect your travel plans.

While the situation is still developing, there are practical steps you can take to stay informed and prepare for your trip.

What’s happening in the Middle East right now?

Recent military activity in parts of the Middle East has led to rising tensions and increased security concerns across the region. Because of this, some countries have temporarily closed their airspace. When airspace is restricted like this, airlines can’t fly through those areas, so they may need to cancel flights or take longer alternative routes.

This doesn’t only affect people travelling directly to the Middle East. Many flights between Europe, Asia and Australia normally pass through this region, so disruption can quickly spread across the wider travel network.

Even if your destination isn’t in the Middle East, your journey could still be affected if your flight usually passes through the area.

Why are travel routes being affected?

The Middle East sits at the centre of some of the world’s busiest flight paths. Many long-haul flights between Europe, Asia and Australia pass through the region or connect via airports such as:

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi
• Doha
• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Muscat

When airspace restrictions or security concerns arise, airlines may need to reroute flights or cancel services entirely. This can create disruption not just within the region, but across global travel networks.

Even if your destination isn’t in the Middle East, your flight may still be affected if your route normally passes through this area.

Because the situation can change quickly, it’s important to stay informed before you travel.

Areas where disruption may occur

Travel disruption may affect flights to, from, or connecting through parts of the Middle East. This includes major destinations and stopover hubs such as:

• United Arab Emirates (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
• Qatar (including Doha)
• Bahrain
• Oman
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel
• Jordan

This list isn’t exhaustive and may change at short notice.

Many airlines use these locations as connecting hubs. Disruption may also affect long-haul routes to destinations across Asia and Australia, where flights normally pass through the region.

What does the latest FCDO travel advice say?

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) regularly updates travel advice for countries affected by the conflict.

Checking this guidance is important for two reasons:

1. It helps you understand whether it’s safe to travel to your destination
2. Travelling against FCDO advice may affect your Travel Insurance cover

Before travelling, make sure you check the latest guidance for both your destination and any countries you may pass through.

You can view the latest updates on the UK Government website.

What to do if your travel plans are disrupted

If your travel plans change due to flight cancellations, airspace restrictions, or airport closures, your first step should be to contact your airline or travel provider.

They will usually be responsible for arranging alternative travel or offering refunds where flights are cancelled.

It’s also a good idea to:

• Check the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination and any stopovers
• Monitor your airline’s website or app for updates
• Allow extra time for your journey in case of delays

Staying informed can help you avoid unnecessary stress and make decisions about your trip with confidence.

What happens if your flight is cancelled?

If your flight is cancelled because of disruption in the Middle East, your airline should be your first point of contact. Airlines are usually responsible for arranging alternative travel or offering a refund if they cancel your flight. 

In most cases, you’ll be given the option to:

• Rebook onto another flight
• Accept a travel voucher
• Receive a full refund for the cancelled flight

As these disruptions are linked to geopolitical events and airspace restrictions, they’re typically considered outside the airline’s control. This means compensation may not apply, but airlines should still help you rearrange your journey.

If your flight is heavily delayed or you’re waiting for a replacement flight, airlines may also need to provide what’s known as a “duty of care.”

This can include:

• Food and refreshments
• Hotel accommodation if you’re delayed overnight
• Transport between the airport and your accommodation

If the airline cannot provide these directly, you may be able to claim reasonable expenses back later, so keep any receipts.

Can Travel Insurance help?

From an insurance perspective, there is no cover for claims directly relating to this event, including alternative flights or additional travel arrangements. You will need to contact your airline or travel provider to discuss your options.

However, at AllClear we have introduced some cover enhancements to help give you flexibility if your travel plans are disrupted.

• Move your travel dates by up to 30 days at no extra charge if your trip is significantly disrupted
• Automatic extension of cover for up to 30 days if you’re already abroad and unable to return home as planned

If your travel plans have changed because of cancelled flights, our Customer Service team can help talk through the options available to you.

Support available if you’re already abroad

If you’re currently travelling and are unable to return home as planned because of disruption, your cover will automatically extend by up to 30 days at no additional cost.

If you’re travelling soon

If your trip hasn’t started yet and your travel plans are significantly disrupted, you can move your travel dates by up to 30 days at no extra charge.

If you’d prefer to delay your trip further, we can also move your policy departure date by up to 12 months from the original purchase date, although an additional premium may apply.

Our Customer Service team can help talk through the options available to you.

Stopover cover has been temporarily extended

Many travellers pass through major Middle Eastern hubs when travelling to destinations across Asia and beyond.

Normally, if your journey includes a stopover in a country outside the region shown on your policy, you’re covered during your stopover for up to 24 hours.

To provide extra reassurance during the current disruption, we’ve increased this stopover cover to 48 hours at no additional cost. This gives you extra flexibility if connecting flights are delayed or rescheduled.

Thinking about cancelling your trip?

If you’re thinking about cancelling your trip because of the current situation in the Middle East, it’s important to check your options before making a decision.

With AllClear Travel Insurance, cancellation cover depends on the specific reason for cancelling and the terms, conditions and exclusions set out in your policy wording.

AllClear policies include a general exclusion relating to war, civil unrest and hostilities. This means there is no cover where cancellation arises from circumstances that fall within this exclusion.

Before cancelling your trip, we recommend that you:

• Check the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination and any stopovers
• Speak to your airline or travel provider about alternative travel options or refunds
• Contact AllClear Customer Services if you’d like help changing your travel dates

If you decide not to travel, please be aware that choosing not to travel isn’t covered under your policy.

However, if your plans change, we may still be able to help by moving your Single Trip travel dates up to 12 months from the original purchase date. 

Stay informed before all travel

The situation in the Middle East is continuing to develop, and travel conditions may change quickly.

Before travelling, we strongly recommend:

• Checking the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination and any stopover locations
• Contacting your airline for operational updates about your flight
• Monitoring official updates from the UK government

We’ll continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates if anything changes.