Travel warning to Aussies flying to Europe as Qatar reopens airspace during Middle East conflict

Australians are being urged not to cancel their flights to Europe, amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Source: Flightradar24/Getty

Aussies heading to the northern hemisphere to escape the winter are facing flight delays and uncertainty as a result of the Israel-Iran conflict in the Middle East. 

Europe-bound flights with layovers in the UAE and Qatar have been impacted. Qatar closed its airspace and then reopened it on Tuesday. It followed the US entering the conflict on the weekend and striking three major bases in Iran purported to contain materials necessary to build nuclear weapons. On Monday, Iran retaliated by striking a US military base in Qatar.

The closure of Qatari airspace led to a Qantas flight from Perth to Paris being turned around after it passed the southwestern tip of India at about 3.30am (AWST) on Tuesday. Virgin Australia flights, operated by Qatar Airways, from both Brisbane and Sydney were heading to Doha when they were diverted to Oman and India respectively.

Dubai, the world's busiest airport, has also reopened after a brief suspension. Airlines continue to navigate the best routes around long-standing conflicts in Qaza, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon. Nearby, Russia's war with Ukraine also continues. 

Advice to Aussie travellers heading to Europe and Middle East

Aussie travellers are likely concerned about the rising tensions, but according to the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA), there's no need to panic. 

ATIA CEO Dean Long spoke to Yahoo and warned Aussies flying to Europe via the Middle East should be prepared for some delays, but said it's "important to know" that global airlines have systems in place to manage these disruptions. 

Passengers headed to the northern hemisphere via parts of the Middle East will be informed of any route changes or delays, experts say. Source: Getty

Is it safe to fly near the Middle East?

Long said airlines are "absolutely putting safety first". "The most important thing for anyone with a cancelled or disrupted flight right now is that your agent or airline will be in contact with you," he told Yahoo. "Airlines are absolutely putting safety at the top of the priority list — that’s their focus. 

"So while anxiety levels might be a bit higher than usual because of what’s going on, travellers should know that the routes being flown are very, very safe. 

"If you're after that extra level of assurance, the best thing to do is check in regularly with your travel agent’s website, the airline’s website, and also Smart Traveller, which provides frequent updates on what’s happening and what you can do to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible."

When it comes to making changes to existing bookings, Long urged passengers not to cancel or reroute flights themselves.

"The key message here is: don’t cancel or try to reroute your flight on your own. Let the airline or your agent guide you through the process," he said. "If your flight is cancelled by the airline, you’re entitled to a full cash refund, regardless of which fare class you booked.

So don’t think you’re doing the right thing by cancelling early — you may actually reduce your options.Dean Long

"If the airline cancels, you’ll have access to either a full refund, a credit, or the option to reschedule," he said. But if you choose to cancel the flight yourself, particularly on lower fare tickets, you’ll generally have fewer rights."

Long said even if you don’t have travel insurance, if the airline cancels your flight, you’re still entitled to a cash refund. 

Travel ecosystem is 'built to respond'

Long said the closure of airspace is not new. Airlines have been rerouting around Russia and Ukraine for more than two years, and are now adjusting again," he said. "The airlines that fly to Australia have world-leading safety protocols and route management.

"Travellers shouldn’t panic or cancel unnecessarily. The one thing we learned through Covid is not to cancel, as it reduces the number of rights you have. Let the airline make that decision. This approach ensures your rights are protected and you get the support you need." 

Flight radars on Tuesday showed UAE airspace functioning, while no flights were shown over Iran or Ukraine. Source: Flightradar24

ATIA's official advice for travellers

• You will be contacted, your accredited travel agent or airline will prioritise impacted travellers and advise of delays and cancellations. Please do not contact your agent or airline now unless you’re travelling in the next three days.

• There is an increased chance of delays, so be prepared that you may be spending some time at airports as a result of schedule adjustments.

• Avoid cancelling flights independently. When an airline cancels your flights, you are entitled to a full refund.

• Monitor official travel advice, particularly via the SmartTraveller website.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo News Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/travel-warning-to-aussies-flying-to-europe-as-qatar-reopens-airspace-during-middle-east-conflict-043948965.html