DUE to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, many Brits will find their holiday plans postponed or cancelled.
From those who are stranded in the UAE or supposed to be heading abroad, what does the conflict mean when it comes to travel insurance and your airline rights?
Well, UK travellers stranded across the globe or due to fly via the Middle East in the coming days have very different rights depending on who they booked their trip with.
Those who booked flights with a non UK or EU airline like Emirates, Etihad or Qatar and were travelling from a destination outside the UK via the Middle Eastern hubs have limited rights compared to those who are travelling with a UK or EU airline or flying directly in or out of the UK.
UK passenger rights mean airlines have a duty of care to provide you with food and drink while you are delayed as well as a way to communicate by email or phone and overnight hotels and transfers if needed.
Under these same rights, the airline must get you to your destination as soon as is possible, even if that involves a different airline.
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However, those travelling on non UK or EU flights from elsewhere in the world to the big hub airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar do not get the same rights.
This could be someone travelling from Thailand back to the UK via Dubai that is now stranded in Thailand as flights have been cancelled and the airspace is closed.
Airlines in this case MUST get you to your destination as soon as possible but there is no legal right to meals, accommodation or communication.
They also must provide you with a refund if you choose not to travel but beware of this option. The minute you accept a refund, the airline has no duty of care to you and no obligation to re-route you.
You would then need to book new flights yourself, which may be significantly more expensive. Travel insurance would not cover the difference between a refunded ticket and a new booking.
Despite this, the General Civil Aviation Authority in the UAE have – in a very rare move – confirmed that the state would be covering all accommodation and hosting costs for stranded passengers.
Of course, this only applies to Brits who are stranded in the UAE, so the likes of Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Due to its location many holidaymakers will pass through the likes of Dubai or Doha before travelling onwards during an indirect journey.
In fact more than half a million travellers head through the hubs of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha every day.
For Brits, many long-haul flights to destinations like Thailand, Australia and South Africa generally stop in these airports.
Due the ongoing conflict, the airspace has been closed, as have the airports in Dubai and Doha.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi is starting up very limited flights with Etihad Airways.
Tim Riley, MD of travel insurer True Traveller and chairman of the UK Travel Industry Association, which represents all the major UK insurers, has advice for impacted travellers.
He explained that while airlines have an obligation to re-route passengers, they cannot override certain situations.
Tim said: “The primary issue in the current situation is airspace closures and the inability to leave the country.
“Travel insurance cannot override government airspace restrictions or operate repatriation flights.
“Airlines have a legal obligation to re-route passengers to their final destination once services resume, whether on their own aircraft or with an alternative carrier.”
Airlines are releasing statements on imminent trips, and head here for the latest updates on flights and holidays.
Here are the top 10 indirect flights via Dubai with Emirates…
These are the top routes used by Brits that stop via Dubai…
- London (LHR/LGW) – Dubai – Bangkok
- Manchester – Dubai – Phuket
- London (LHR) – Dubai – Sydney
- London (LHR/LGW) – Dubai – Melbourne
- Manchester – Dubai – Singapore
- London (LHR) – Dubai – Mauritius
- Glasgow – Dubai – Bali
- London (LHR) – Dubai – Tokyo
- Birmingham – Dubai – Cape Town
- London (LHR) – Dubai – Colombo
Here are the top 10 indirect flights via Doha with Qatar Airways…
These are the top routes that stop via Doha …
- London (LHR) – Doha – Bangkok
- Manchester – Doha – Manila
- London (LHR/LGW) – Doha – Denpasar/Bali
- London (LHR) – Doha – Sydney
- Manchester – Doha – Phuket
- London (LHR) – Doha – Male
- Edinburgh – Doha – Kuala Lumpur
- London (LHR) – Doha – Ho Chi Minh City
- Manchester – Doha – Colombo
- London (LHR) – Doha – Perth
Here’s where you’ll find information on Cyprus airport which was evacuated as easyJet and British Airways among 60 flights to cancel.
And for staycations, here’s the beautiful UK holiday hotspot with shipwrecks, seals and horseshoe-shaped waterfalls.