Middle East travel disruption: What you need to know

If you’ve got a trip coming up that passes through the Middle East, you might be wondering what’s going on right now and whether it could affect your plans.

With recent events in the region, some flights are being delayed, rerouted or cancelled. That’s especially the case for journeys that connect through major hubs like Dubai or Doha. We know that kind of uncertainty can take the shine off a holiday. So here’s a straightforward look at what it means for you and what you can do if your plans change.

Before you travel, it’s worth checking the latest DFA travel advice for your destination and any stopovers. And keep an eye on updates from your airline too – they’ll always have the most up-to-date information about your flight.

Why are flights being affected?

The Middle East sits right in the middle of some of the busiest flight routes in the world. A lot of long-haul journeys between Europe, Asia and Australia pass through the region. When conditions change, such as airspace restrictions or security concerns, airlines sometimes have to adjust routes or cancel services altogether.

That can have a ripple effect across other journeys too, even if you’re not travelling directly to the Middle East.

So, depending on your route, you might see:

• Delays
• Cancellations
• Changes to connections
• Longer or rerouted journeys

If anything changes, your airline should be your first port of call.

Where disruption could happen

Right now, disruption may affect flights to, from, or passing through parts of the Middle East, including:

• UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
• Qatar (Doha)
• Bahrain
• Oman
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel
• Jordan

This can change quickly, so it’s always best to check before you travel. Some routes to Asia and Australia may also be affected if they usually pass through the region.

If your plans are disrupted

We’ve put a few practical measures in place to help if your trip is affected.

If you’re already abroad

If your return journey is delayed and your policy is due to end – or you go over your trip duration – your cover will be automatically extended by up to 30 days at no extra cost.

You don’t need to do anything. Your cover stays in place while you sort out your journey home.

If you’re due to travel soon

If you can’t travel as planned, you can move your trip dates by up to 30 days. Just get in touch with our Customer Service team, and we’ll help you sort it.

If you’d rather travel later

If you decide to push your trip back, we can move your policy start date by up to 12 months. Just keep in mind:

• There may be an additional premium
• Choosing not to travel isn’t covered under your policy

How does this fit with your cover?

These measures are there to give you a bit of flexibility while things are unsettled. But your policy terms still apply. That means:

• What’s covered will depend on your individual situation
• Policy exclusions still apply
• If you travel against DFA advice, claims may not be covered if your policy excludes this

If you’re unsure, it’s always best to check with us before making any changes.

What you can do now

If you’re due to travel soon, a few simple steps can help:

• Check DFA travel advice for your destination and stopovers
• Stay in touch with your airline for updates
• Contact us if your plans change and you need help with your policy
• Register your trip with the Irish government for updates

Are you thinking about cancelling your trip?

We understand why you might be considering it, but it’s important to know how cancellation works. Whether you can claim depends on the reason for cancelling and your policy terms.

There’s a general exclusion for war, civil unrest and hostilities. So if your cancellation relates to that, it may not be covered. Before you decide, it’s worth:

• Checking DFA advice
• Speaking to your airline about your options
• Contacting us if you want to change your dates instead

Also, choosing not to travel isn’t covered under your policy.

We’re here if you need us

We’re keeping a close eye on things and will update this page if anything changes.

Travel disruptions are never ideal, but having the right information makes them easier to deal with. And if your plans do change, we’re here to help you figure out what to do next.

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