Advice on Middle East travel disruption

Updated 9 March 2026

The conflict in the Middle East continues to cause significant travel disruption, including flight cancellations and short-notice airspace closures. 

While there has been increased flight activity among most UAE airlines, the pace of flights continues to be dictated, in part, by airspace safety and available flight corridors.

If you are currently in destination

If you are currently in an affected region, monitor the information provided by your airline or travel provider, as they will be the ones to organise your return home when airspace is open and flights have been scheduled. Don't travel to the airport unless requested to by your airline or travel provider. 

You should also follow any instructions issued by local authorities, and your accommodation provider, along with the UK Government’s travel advice, where you can sign up for alerts for your destination. The UK Government is also asking you to register your presence in the Middle East.  

Many airlines are providing updates on their websites and posting information on social media with situational updates, as well as providing details of their policies for those due to travel. They will be prioritising contacting those customers due to travel most imminently to discuss their options. For those people currently in areas affected by the crisis, we understand that some airlines are contacting customers when seats are available to confirm their return flight details, and these calls or notifications may come at very short notice. 

The UK Foreign Office and airlines are advising people not to go to the airport unless they have been notified directly by the airline or hold a confirmed booking for these flights, or any of the flights that may operate in the region. 

The UK Government has operated three repatriation flights from Oman; a further repatriation flight may be operated from the UAE, and these seats do incur a cost. Travellers are advised to visit the GOV.uk travel advice website for further details. 

We have advice explaining what your rights are and the support that may be available from your travel provider if your travel arrangements have been cancelled.   

If you had plans to travel to or via the Middle East

The UK Foreign Office continues to advise against “all but essential travel” for a number of the Middle Eastern countries, and this applies to transiting passengers. 

If you are imminently due to travel to an affected area, you should monitor the situation and check the status of your flight and travel plans with your airline or travel provider.

Check the FCDO foreign travel advice relating to specific destinations and check if the area to which you are travelling is affected.

If you are imminently due to transit through an airport in the affected region, contact your airline or travel provider to discuss your options.

We have advice available below explaining what your rights are if your flight or holiday has been cancelled.

If you have a holiday or travel plans to or through the affected areas in the coming weeks, we recommend that you monitor the information provided by your travel company and airline.  As the situation is ever evolving, it may be too soon to say how your plans may or may not be impacted in the future.  Travel companies will be focusing on those soonest scheduled to travel.