Air travel

Check the latest air travel status including departures from popular holiday destinations such as Dubai, Cyprus and Egypt after the Iran war forced airports to close and airlines to cancel flights

The war in Iran has plunged air travel into its biggest crisis since the pandemic as airports shut across the world and airlines cancel huge numbers of flights.

Conflict between Iran, the US and Israel has spread across the Middle East and triggered widespread airspace closures, sparking major disruption to flights, and leaving thousands of British tourists stranded abroad.

Popular holiday destinations including Egypt, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are among those to ground all flights or severely limit departures, but the ‘ripple effects’ are also impacting travel to and from a number of other countries, including Cyprus and Turkey.

Here’s all the latest on flight cancellations, cruise ships and your rights if something goes wrong:

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READ MORE: First Dubai flights as Emirates and Etihad operate very limited routesREAD MORE: Cyprus flights update as easyJet, British Airways and Ryanair cancel routes this week

Which destinations are affected?

The UK Foreign Office now advise against all but essential travel to the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.

Airspace closures mean flights to and from the United Arab Emirates (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait and Oman are almost entirely cancelled, with aviation largely reserved for military and cargo flights.

If you have a flight due soon to one of these countries, you should get in touch with your airline as soon as possible.

While flights to and from Cyprus, Egypt and Turkey are going ahead largely as scheduled, they may be subject to short-notice delays or cancellations, so you should check regularly with your airline before you travel.

Dubai and UAE travel advice

The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates.

Your travel insurance could be rendered invalid if you travel against this advice.

British nationals currently in the country should stay indoors due to risk of missile attacks, and the current advice reads: “Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”

Cyprus travel advice

After a suspected Iranian-made drone was fired at the RAF base at Akrotiri, the Foreign Office updated its advice to read: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.

“British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration. British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities.”

Turkey travel advice

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to “fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”.

Egypt travel advice

There is “heightened risk of regional tension” which “could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts”, the Foreign Office said.

Which airlines have cancelled flights?

A handful of flights will bring British nationals stranded in the Middle East back to Britain today – but the majority of departures from the region remain cancelled.

The current Emirates flight status is that the airline plans to operate two flights to Heathrow, and one each to Gatwick and Manchester. At least some of these flights will be operated by the airline’s A380 jets, which can each carry up to 615 passengers depending on how they are configured.

Emirates usually operates 146 weekly flights to the UK, which is the equivalent of about 21 per day.

Etihad Airways has scheduled one UK flight on Tuesday, from Abu Dhabi to Heathrow.

Qatar Airways, which usually serves Heathrow and Gatwick from Qatar, said on Tuesday morning that its operations remain suspended because of the closure of Qatari airspace.

British Airways has cancelled its timetabled flights to Heathrow from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha and Dubai on Tuesday.

The airline told passengers: “We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of our flights to the Middle East.

“Safety is always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.”

Passengers with bookings on certain routes up to March 15 are being allowed to amend the date to fly on or before March 29.

Virgin Atlantic axed a flight from Dubai to Heathrow.

What about connecting flights?

You could also be affected if you’re due on a flight that changes at an airport disrupted by the war – such as Abu Dhabi, which acts as a major hub for connecting flights to Thailand, Vietnam, India, Australia and New Zealand. Check with your airline in advance if you’re in any doubt.

What if I’m stuck abroad?

British nationals currently in the Gulf have been advised by the Foreign Office to remain indoors and follow local authorities. Plans for evacuation repatriation flights are going ahead, but at a very limited capacity, and you should not make plans around these until you have been contacted by British consular staff.

What are my rights if something goes wrong with my flights?

Don’t cancel your own ticket if your destination or connecting flight is affected – instead, wait for the airline to cancel the flight.

If you cancel voluntarily, you will likely forfeit your right to a full refund or rebooking under UK air passenger rights.

It’s important to check your travel insurance, as standard policies will usually cover extended emergency medical expenses if you are stranded abroad – but many exclude cancellation or curtailment costs arising directly from acts of war.

What about cruise ships?

Thousands of cruise line passengers are currently trapped in ports in the Middle East due to the war in Iran.

At least six well-known ships from big companies, including TUI, are reported to be at a standstill and awaiting news of when they can leave.

Cruise liners affected include TUI Cruises’ ships Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, which are stranded in the ports of Abu Dhabi and Doha. The cruise line has had to cancel its upcoming departures due to the lack of operating repatriation flights.

The MSC Euribia remains docked in the port of Dubai, under strict security measures, with embarkations suspended until further notice.

The ships Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery have also had their departures cancelled and are being kept under supervision in regional ports.

TUI Cruises said in its latest alert: “We are currently monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East region and the latest guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).”

Disruption ‘could last weeks’

Last night, US president Donald Trump said the joint US-Israel military operation in Iran could last four to five weeks or “far longer”.

Aviation consultant John Strickland said it could take weeks to clear the backlog of passengers, even if the conflict ends sooner.

He said: “It’s a bit uncertain (when that will happen) because of course it will depend on how long the airspace restrictions remain in place.

“But factoring in the high volumes of normal daily traffic and the high capacity of aircraft such as the A380 and the Boeing 777, plus the fact that other flights covering similar routes operate at high occupancy, then it will certainly be quite a period of time which would likely run into weeks.”

With thousands of people either stranded or diverted across the Middle East following the attacks on Iran, one travel expert has shared the advice you need to know

Thousands of travellers are either stuck or have had their plans thrown into disarray across the Middle East following Israel and the US’s strike on Iran. The missile strikes have triggered widespread disruption throughout the UAE and the broader Middle East region, leaving thousands of holidaymakers facing an anxious wait.

Flight cancellations have swept through major Gulf aviation hubs as well as Cyprus in what experts are calling the most severe travel turmoil since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chris Harrington, Managing Director at hoppa, has outlined the top four things travellers need to understand if their flight gets axed, including your passenger rights and what compensation you might be owed.

The initial step when you spot that dreaded red ‘cancelled’ notice appearing on the departures board is to get in touch with your airline.

If you’re already inside the airport terminal, make your way to the customer service desk. However, if you turn the corner and discover a mammoth queue of passengers already assembled there, Chris has an alternative approach, reports the Express.

He advised: “Try using the airline’s app if they have one or ring the customer service team to find out about the next steps.”

Once you’ve managed to locate a staff member to speak with, it’s time to explore what options are on the table.

“In most cases, the airline will have to make an alternative plan for you. When you manage to speak to a member of staff, see if they can rebook you on a later flight.

“You may also want to consider opting for an alternative route or flying to another airport close to your final destination. It’s important to understand that the airline can book you a flight through a different provider, so make them aware of this.”

It’s vital to ensure you’ve got insurance sorted for any overseas trip. This will safeguard you against cancellations or other complications.

Chris explained: “If your flight has been cancelled, check your travel insurance documents as some policies will cover the cost of hotels, airport transfers, alternative flights, and food. It’s also worthwhile enquiring with your airline about vouchers for cancelled flights, as many offer them for passengers to find accommodation and cover the cost of food.”

Chris’s final piece of advice is to ensure you’re fully aware of your passenger rights.

He stated: “If the flight cancellation is due to the actions of the airline, then it’s likely you’ll be entitled to compensation. As stated by ABTA, if an airline cancels your flight in less than 14 days before you’re due to depart, then you’ll be entitled to compensation based on the length of your journey.

“However, in this case, because the cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances outside of the airline’s control, compensation is unlikely to apply. In these cases, passengers are still entitled to a refund or rebooking, as well as care and assistance such as meals and, if necessary, overnight accommodation.”

Simon Calder said it ‘possibly points the way forward’ but there was still a long way to go

A travel expert has provided an update on when flights to and from the Middle East might resume normal service. Flights continue to be severely disrupted due to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which started over the weekend.

It is estimated that around 300,000 Brits are currently in the Gulf region. Airspace closures in the Middle East have led to numerous commercial flights being grounded, with over a third of today’s (Monday, March 2) scheduled flights to the area cancelled.

Major airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Emirates are among those to have cancelled flights. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is presently advising against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates.

Travel journalist Simon Calder gave an update on the Independent’s Instagram page about how the situation might unfold. He stated: “Day three of the crisis in the Gulf, which has seen all air operations cease at the key hubs of Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, and tens of thousands of passengers stranded as a result trying to head back to the UK.

“The latest news is not encouraging from the airlines; Qatar Airways has just said we’re not going to tell you any more updates until Tuesday morning. Emirates says we will not be flying anything before 3:00 on Monday-I think it’s extremely unlikely that that will happen; similar story from Etihad, who are based in Abu Dhabi.

“At the moment, though, obey the Foreign Office advice, and if you are booked to travel on one of those airlines-Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar Airways-your flight will not be operating today, and I fear that it might be some time before we see those planes back in the sky.”

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It is believed that out of the 300,000 Brits in the region, approximately 100,000 may require evacuation back to the UK. British citizens are being advised to heed the instructions of local authorities and keep a close eye on the Foreign Office’s travel advice, which officials anticipate will change rapidly.

One current proposal is that individuals may be transported overland to countries such as Oman and Saudi Arabia, before catching flights back from there. At present, these countries do not have any travel warnings against them.

Mr Calder added: “One development overnight, though, I think possibly points the way forward. A British Airways Boeing 787 flew out overnight from London Heathrow to Oman and landed at Muscat-that is the airport where there is no Foreign Office warning at the moment.

“It took on board pilots and cabin crew from British Airways who were stranded in the UAE when airspace was closed. Now, you might be thinking, ‘well, why didn’t they bring back any passengers?’ but there’s a good reason for that..

“The Foreign Office says, ‘no, you should not travel anywhere if you are in the UAE”. However, if the crisis drags on-and unfortunately, it shows every sign of doing that-then I fear we are going to be in a situation where the best option is to organise an airlift from Muscat, possibly another one also from Saudi Arabia for people travelling overland from Qatar.”

Simon Calder warned that, even if the major airports reopen, it will take some time for normal service to resume

A travel expert claims international airports currently shut due to military action in Iran could reopen earlier than many anticipate. Journalist Simon Calder shared his forecast whilst boarding a flight from Istanbul, Turkey.

One individual has died and 11 others have been wounded at airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Over 3,400 flights have been scrapped and airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), along with Qatar’s capital, Doha, and Manama in Bahrain were among those shuttered.

The Foreign Office is advising British nationals against all but essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. This means hundreds of thousands of travellers are stranded in the region, many of whom are believed to be either British or those attempting to fly to the UK.

In an Instagram video, Mr Calder stated: “The main question is when is the disruption going to stop?”.

“Dubai indefinitely closed; Emirates is kind of saying that sometime on Monday it might start up again. Doha, they’re going to give an update at 6 o’clock British time tomorrow. And Etihad and Abu Dhabi airport, they’re saying, well actually, yeah, we might be opening before that.

“And I hope that the flight ban and also the travel advice from the Foreign Office saying do not go to these places will be lifted as soon as possible so that people can come back.

“I’m going to say, if you twisted my arm, we will probably see flights start up in the next couple of days but in a small way because, of course, planes and pilots and cabin crew and passengers are all out of position. So it’s going to take some time to get this back to normal and I simply hope that it is done with the maximum energy and indeed money just to try to make sure that people are back when they need to be as soon as possible.”

Mr Calder explained that – aside from the Covid-19 pandemic – disruption on the scale witnessed over the weekend hadn’t been seen since the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption and resulting ash cloud in Iceland.

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During that week-long episode, approximately 20 countries shut their airspace to commercial aircraft, affecting roughly 10 million passengers. Mr Calder suggested things weren’t quite that severe ‘yet’ but described these as extraordinary circumstances and warned matters were ‘definitely heading in that direction’.

He also noted that, given the sheer scale of the airports affected and the extent of the chaos, it would require a substantial amount of time for the situation to resolve itself even once flights restarted.

He added: “Just bear in mind that every day that there are no flights going in and out of the world’s busiest international airport, Dubai, and Doha, and Abu Dhabi, that is two and a half thousand flights and about half a million people. The numbers are really staggering.

“Every hour generally, on average, 20,000 people land and depart from those airports, and so you have a massive problem building up. And certainly the numbers haven’t been added to because, of course, people are there, but what’s happening is that people’s holidays are ending and so they are being added to the back of the queue at the airport. It’s a desperate position for them to be in.

“It is going to be quite interesting to see how it is done, because you’ve got to remember that the numbers in Dubai rather exceed the current capacity of them.

“So let’s take a case of an expat who’s booked on the 5th of March, and let’s hope very much that flights are back on the 5th of March. That expat is expected to take her or his seat, and the fact that somebody’s been there for five days and really wants to get home isn’t relevant; it’s whoever’s got the booking in.

“And so I think there may well be shuttle services operated. They might even go to somewhere like Cyprus; they might just take people back and forth to a relatively short-haul destination from where people can board relatively short-haul flights. That would seem to cause the least amount of problem. I

” don’t know if this is going to happen, but I do know that there’s an awful lot of people out there who really want to be somewhere else and heavens, just imagine the stress and upset if you know that there’s somebody across the Gulf who is sending drones and missiles in your direction. A horrible situation for everybody.”

Multiple airlines have made the decision to suspend services across the Middle East, which is also affecting other routes.

Airlines from across the world have continued to cancel flights across the Middle East after the US and Israel launched “major combat operations” across Iran. It prompted retaliatory strikes across the Middle East – hitting Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait, all home to US bases, as well as Israel.

Airspace across the countries has remained virtually empty. Major Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have been shut or severely restricted as a result.

Many Brits enjoy holidaying in the likes of Dubai and have faced delays to their scheduled plans. The UK Foreign Office has told Brits not to travel to Israel or Palestine, and is advising people already in destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait to seek shelter.

In a statement on its website the Foreign Office said: “Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine. On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel commenced joint military action in Iran, Israeli airspace has now closed.”

The Foreign Office has also updated its advice for British citizens currently in destinations including Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait. It said: “Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”

The situation is quickly changing, so anyone due to fly in the coming days should also seek advise from their flight operator.

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Cancelled flights to the Middle East

Aegean Airlines – Greece’s largest airline has suspended flights to Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon and Erbil in Iraq until March 2.

Air Astana – All flights to the Middle East have been cancelled until March 3.

Air Canada – All flights from Canada to Israel have been cancelled until March 8. All flights to Dubai have been cancelled until March 3.

Air Europa – The Spanish airline has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and is monitoring the situation to assess operations on Tuesday.

Air France KLM – All flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut cancelled for Saturday. Dutch KLM weekend flights to and from Dubai, Dammam and Riyadh have been cancelled.

Azerbaijan Airlines – All flights to and from Dubai, Doha, Jeddah and Tel Aviv suspended.

British Airways – Flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain cancelled until March 3.

Cathay Pacific – Flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh suspended.

Emirates – All flights to and from Dubai suspended until March 2.

Etihad – Flights from Abu Dhabi suspended until 2pm local time on Sunday.

FlyDubai – All flights to and from Dubai suspended until 3pm local time on Sunday.

ITA Airways – Flights to and from Tel Aviv and not using airspace of Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Iran until March 7.

Lot Polish Airlines – Flights to Tel Aviv suspended until March 15. Flights to Dubai and Riyadh cancelled until March 2.

Lufthansa – Flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon and Oman suspended until March 7. Flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday suspended.

Norwegian Air – All flights to and from Dubai suspended until March 4.

Pegasus Airlines – Flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon were cancelled up to and including March 2.

Qatar Airways – Flights suspended due to closure of Quatari airspace. Update coming by 9am local time on Monday.

Turkish Airlines – Flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman cancelled on Saturday. Flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan cancelled until March 2.

Wizz Air – Flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman halted with immediate effect until March 7.

Knock-on effect

Air India – Flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar to London, New York, Chicago, Toronto, Frankfurt and Paris on Sunday have been cancelled. More flights to London, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Zurich, Milan, Vienna, Copenhagen and Frankfurt had been cancelled.

IndiGo – Temporary suspension of international flights using Middle Eastern airspace until Monday.

Japan Airlines – Cancelled flight on Saturday from Tokyo Haneda to Doha and return flight on March 1.

Lufthansa – Will not fly through Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi and Iranian airspace until March 7.

Virgin Atlantic – Will avoid Iraqi airspace, resulting in some pre-planned rerouting of flights.

Major airlines including British Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways have cancelled flights following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Travel expert Simon Calder has forecasted when flights between the UK and the Middle East might recommence. Several leading airlines, including British Airways, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, have suspended flights in the wake of joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of travellers are stuck in the region, with no immediate hope of return flights due to the unstable situation. Airports in Dubai and Doha have halted all operations after US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait were hit by Iranian retaliatory strikes.

British Airways has called off all flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until 3 March. Speaking on Radio 5 Live, Mr Calder admitted it was difficult to predict when flights would start again.

He stated: “It’s possible that flights will resume tomorrow (Sunday). Looking at what Emirates are saying in Dubai, it is possible there will not be any more flights until 3pm on Sunday afternoon – that is 11am GMT – with the implication that flights may well resume again then.

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“Etihad, just down the road in Abu Dhabi, are saying that flights will be resuming at 2pm local time, so 10am tomorrow morning GMT. We will see if that happens. Quite a lot would need to be said and done to make the airlines confident that the airspace was safe.

“At the moment though, if I had a flight booked back from Doha then, my goodness me, my absolute sympathy with anybody who is stuck in a war zone with missiles coming in, it is unbelievable and I am so, so sorry it is happening, but I would think March 5 is not a bad day to have planned your escape.”

Airports across London and Manchester have reported disruptions, with one British Airways flight from London to Doha forced to turn back to Heathrow after three hours in the air.

Leading global carriers including Delta, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and Turkish Airlines have suspended services to the Middle East, alongside certain routes traversing the region.

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) urged British nationals in affected nations to “immediately shelter in place” and steer clear of travel to Israel and Palestine. “Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities,” the FCDO stated.

The department confirmed it was working tirelessly to bring home thousands of stranded Britons following the attacks. UK citizens are being encouraged to register via Register Your Presence and sign up for travel advisory emails to receive the most current updates from the Foreign Office.

A major airport sparked debate around airport dress codes when it announced it wanted to become the “world’s first Crocs-free AND pyjama-free airport”, and travellers have been left divided by the X post

A major airport has ignited controversy over appropriate airport clothing with an X post declaring “We’ve had enough.” Tampa International Airport took to X (formerly Twitter ) yesterday (February 26) with an announcement claiming it aspired to become the “world’s first Crocs-free AND pajama-free airport”.

The post opened with the declaration “We’ve seen enough. We’ve had enough.” before stating “The madness stops today.” The airport took aim at travellers sporting pyjamas in broad daylight, encouraging people to have a “difficult conversation” with relatives who might be guilty of such a fashion misstep, reports the Express.

While the airport went on to confirm to USA Today that the post was lighthearted, it nevertheless triggered a discussion about appropriate flying attire and whether dress codes ought to be enforced.

Its statement explained: “Tampa International Airport regularly shares lighthearted, satirical social media content as part of our ongoing effort to engage with our followers. Today’s post about ‘banning’ pajamas was another playful nod to day-of-travel fashion debates. We encourage our passengers to travel comfortably and appreciate our loyal followers who enjoy the online humor.”

While airports typically don’t enforce dress codes, there have been cases where passengers have been refused boarding or removed from planes based on their attire. In 2024, two women sporting crop tops were removed from a Spirit Airlines flight leaving Los Angeles after declining to cover up with their jumpers.

In 2025, the budget carrier updated its contract of carriage, warning that travellers who are “barefoot or inadequately clothed” could face boarding refusal or removal from the aircraft. Spirit’s terms and conditions specify this includes “see-through clothing; [being] not adequately covered; exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts”.

The airline also prohibits clothing and body art deemed “lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature” and states it may refuse boarding to passengers with “an offensive odor unless caused by a qualified disability”.

British airlines and airports haven’t yet introduced clothing regulations, apart from suggestions to dress comfortably, though certain airport lounges do have dress codes. No1 Lounges, which operates facilities at major hubs including London Gatwick and Heathrow, states on its website: “Yes, we have a dress code in place. We ask all our guests to wear smart-casual clothing.

“Our dress code stipulates that we reserve the right to refuse admission to anyone wearing clothing which we deem to be unsuitable. This includes themed or fancy-dress outfits, clothes with slogans that may cause offence, sports shirts, beach flip flops, vests, and clothing that exposes midriffs or upper thighs.

“Our My Lounge spaces are designed to be a little more relaxed and informal, encouraging guests to dress comfortably and express their individuality. Casual clothing, trainers, flip flops, and athleisure are welcome at My Lounge.” The policy does clarify, however, that unsuitable items such as fancy dress are still banned in these areas.

Despite its tongue-in-cheek tone, Tampa International Airport’s social media post ignited discussion about appropriate flying attire. One commenter enthused: “I love this! Let’s go back to the way it was in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s!”, accompanied by vintage photographs showing impeccably dressed passengers from bygone eras.

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Another countered: “I’ll dress nice again when we’re not treated like cattle at the airport and on the plane.” While contributor questioned: “How are you even classifying clothing as pajamas to begin with? Are sweatpants, yoga pants, children wearing soft clothes pajamas?”.

Would you back dress codes at airports and on airplanes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Currently anyone found with five types of food – even bought in duty free – will have the seized, destroys and face £5,000 fines

A government minister has given an update on a ban on anyone bringing food into the UK on aircraft. Since last April passengers face being stopped at the UK border and having items confiscated and could face fines of £5,000.

The ban is in place because of a food and mouth outbreak in Europe. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) banned items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain.

Travellers are not allowed to bring cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use, to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the UK’s food security.

And yesterday the government issued an alert about a new outbreak in UK holiday hotspot Cyprus, meaning more restrictions have been brought in on commercial imports.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said: “Foot and Mouth disease has now been confirmed in Cyprus, we remain in contact with our European counterparts to understand the latest situation.

“Robust plans are already in place to minimise the risk of disease incursion to support Britain’s farming community and food security.”

Those found with these items will need to either surrender them at the border or will have them seized and destroyed. In serious cases, those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to £5,000 in England.

In a new parliamentary written question Labour MP Ben Goldsborough asked if enough was being done to inform the public and asked the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds “If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of funding public awareness campaigns, including advertisements at airports and ports, on (a) foot and mouth disease and (b) African swine fever.”

DEFRA minister Dame Angela Eagle said extensive efforts have been made recently to highlight the ban: “ Biosecurity is a priority for this Government. To protect UK farmers and animals from serious diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever, we used the Christmas period as an opportunity to remind the public about the personal imports ban on travellers from the EU and EEA countries bringing dairy and meat products to GB, that came into force last year.

“This included promoting awareness of the rules to the travelling public and extending our reach through partnership channels across Government and with industry. Our insights survey results indicate that over 90% of respondents are aware that they should not bring back meat and dairy products from these countries.

“Any decisions on funding paid campaigns will be made based on the current threat level, evidence of effectiveness and available resources, ensuring maximum impact in protecting UK biosecurity.”

Restrictions on meat, dairy and animal products for human consumption

You cannot bring in any of the following:

• cheese, milk and dairy products like butter and yoghurt
• pork
• beef
• lamb
• mutton
• goat
• venison
• other products made from these meats, for example sausages

You can bring the following into Great Britain from any country without any restrictions:

• bread, but not sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products
• cakes without fresh cream
• biscuits
• chocolate and confectionery, but not those made with a lot of unprocessed dairy ingredients
• pasta and noodles, but not if mixed or filled with meat or meat products
• packaged soup, stocks and flavourings
• processed and packaged plant products, such as packaged salads and frozen plant material
• food supplements containing small amounts of an animal product, such as fish oil capsules

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The flight attendant’s warning about onboard coffee has left some travellers surprised

Holidaymakers may think twice before ordering a coffee at 35,000ft. That’s because a flight attendant has alleged a little-known airplane rule that’s left travellers horrified.

In a viral TikTok video, crew member @ichbinvin responded to posts asking flight attendants to share their “dirty little secrets of the industry”. He urged passengers to grab a drink before jumping onboard.

Ichbinvin, who works in the US, claims the issue isn’t just the water tanks used for the hot drinks — which he says are “hardly ever cleaned” — but how the leftover coffee is disposed of mid-flight. “For me, it’s always been the way that flight attendants have to clean out coffee pots,” he claimed.

He claimed cabin crew are instructed not to pour leftover coffee down the aircraft sink, but instead to empty it into the toilet. To avoid spills, this can mean holding the pot close to the bowl, raising fears about contamination, the alleged.

“And I imagine that there’s some kind of backsplash of particles, bacteria, whatever that goes directly back into the coffee pot which gets put right back into the coffee maker,” he claimed. “So unless the airline that you’re buying has an espresso maker on the plane, I would not get coffee on the plane.”

Viewers were left disgusted by the warning, with one writing: “The coffee one is making me cry.” Another added: “I know pilots personally that won’t drink the coffee. They know more about the plane than I do so I’m going to trust them,” while someone else simply said: “The coffee one is disgusting.”

While airlines maintain strict hygiene standards, research shows airplane water systems have raised concerns before. A 2019 report by the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center ranked several airlines’ onboard water quality as “medium risk”, based on Environmental Protection Agency data.

Toilet bacteria can include E. coli and norovirus, which the NHS says can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps. According to the NHS, norovirus is highly contagious and spreads easily through contaminated surfaces and droplets.

Public health experts stress that modern aircraft are subject to sanitation regulations, and serious illness from onboard drinks is rare.

Holidaygoers returning home need to be careful about what they bring back

With the February half-term still underway for many regions across the country, plenty of families will be eagerly packing their bags for some much-needed winter sun. For anyone keen to bring back goodies for their friends and relatives, there are certain rules they need to follow to avoid being stopped at UK airports.

In a recent warning by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the government agency urged holiday-goers to be mindful of what they try to bring back home. In a post on Facebook, a statement reads: “Travelling back from a half term trip abroad?

“To protect UK farmers and animals from diseases like Foot and Mouth, meat and dairy products can’t be brought into Great Britain. Check the rules before travelling.”

There are numerous guidelines on the Gov.uk website regarding bringing food into Great Britain, including rules on meat, dairy, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and pet food. You can bring the following into Great Britain from any country without any restrictions:

• bread, but not sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products
• cakes without fresh cream
• biscuits
• chocolate and confectionery, but not those made with a lot of unprocessed dairy ingredients
• pasta and noodles, but not if mixed or filled with meat or meat products
• packaged soup, stocks and flavourings
• processed and packaged plant products, such as packaged salads and frozen plant material
• food supplements containing small amounts of an animal product, such as fish oil capsules

There are restrictions on bringing meat, dairy, fish and animal products and fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds into Great Britain from abroad. If you’re bringing in any food or animal products protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), you may need to apply for a CITES permit.

Meat, dairy, fish and animal products

The rules on bringing meat, dairy, fish and other animal products depend on the country you’re bringing it from. From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, you can bring in the following for personal use:

• fish
• poultry, for example, chicken, duck, goose and any other products made from these meats
• other animal products, for example, eggs and honey

Due to recent and ongoing outbreaks of animal diseases in the EU, there are rules about bringing in most meats and all dairy products. You are allowed to bring in a maximum of 2kg per person of powdered baby milk, baby food, or special food required for medical reasons. You can only bring these items if they don’t need to be kept cold before using, and they must be in branded, unopened packages (unless you are currently using them).

There are restrictions on meat, dairy and animal products for human consumption. You cannot bring in any of the following:

• cheese, milk and dairy products like butter and yoghurt
• pork
• beef
• lamb
• mutton
• goat
• venison
• other products made from these meats, for example sausages

If you’re bringing food from a country outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, the following rules apply. You cannot bring in:

• meat or meat products
• milk or milk-based products, except powdered infant milk, infant food or special food needed for medical reasons

You can bring in up to 2kg per person of:

• honey
• powdered infant milk, infant food, or special food (including pet food) needed for medical reasons – you can only bring it in if it does not need to be refrigerated before use, and is in branded, unopened packaging (unless in current use)
• live mussels or oysters
• snails – these must be preserved or shelled, cooked and prepared
• frogs’ legs – these must be the back (hind) part of the frog with the skin and internal organs removed
• insect protein

You can bring in up to 20kg per person in total of fish, including:

• fresh fish – must be gutted
• fish products
• processed fish – must be dried, cooked, cured or smoked
• lobsters
• prawns

You cannot bring in caviar unless you have a CITES permit.

Fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds

The rules on bringing fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds depend on the country you’re bringing it from. From the EU, Switzerland or Liechtenstein, you can bring in the following for personal use:

• fruit
• vegetables
• nuts and seeds

From other countries outside the EU you cannot bring in most fruit or vegetables unless you have a ‘phytosanitary’ (plant health) certificate for them. You can get a certificate from the plant health authorities in the country you’re leaving. You can only bring in the following without a phytosanitary certificate:

• pineapple
• kiwi
• coconut
• citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit
• kumquat
• persimmon
• durian
• curry leaves
• banana and plantain
• mango
• dates
• passion fruit
• guava
• processed and packaged plant products, such as packaged salads or frozen plant material
• peeled and processed nuts or nut butters
• certain grains, such as rice

Pet food

The rules on bringing pet food depend on the country you’re bringing it from. From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. You cannot bring in pet food if it contains meat or other animal products from pig, cow, sheep, goat or deer.

You can bring in pet food made with other ingredients (for example, chicken) if it is commercially packaged with the manufacturer’s name and address. You can bring up to 2kg per person. From countries outside the EU you cannot bring in pet food, unless your pet needs it for health-related reasons.

You can bring in up to 2kg per person of pet food needed for health-related reasons, from any country. The pet food must:

• not need to be refrigerated before use
• be in branded, unopened packaging (unless it is currently in use)

Your pet must be travelling with you. You should have evidence that the pet food is needed for health-related reasons, such as a letter from your vet. Contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) if you want to bring in more than 2kg of health-related pet food per person.

You’ll need to provide:

• details of why you cannot buy the specific pet food in Great Britain
• a letter from your vet confirming your pet needs this specific food

Check if you need a CITES permit

You may need to apply for a permit or certificate if you’re bringing any food or animal products protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) into Great Britain. This includes foods such as caviar and eel fillets and beauty products containing caviar extract. Check if you need a CITES permit.

You can apply for a CITES permit online. When travelling to Great Britain, you’ll need to arrive at one of the ports or airports that handles CITES items. Border Force can seize your items if you do not have a CITES permit and they think you’ve brought them into the country illegally.

Some British nationals could face problems at the border when the change begins on February 25, 2026

A cluster of UK citizens are bracing themselves for the prospect of obtaining a new passport or shelling out hundreds of pounds due to an impending border change set to kick in on Wednesday. Dual British nationals, including children, could be denied entry into the UK unless they hold a British passport, under fresh regulations slated to come into force later this month.

An estimated 1.2 million dual British citizens are scattered across the globe. From February 25, 2026, those journeying to the UK will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Travellers without an ETA will be prohibited from boarding their flight, ferry or train.

British and Irish citizens, which includes dual nationals, are exempt from this requirement but must adhere to other stipulations. To travel to the UK, dual nationals will now require a valid British passport.

Alternatively, they can fork out £589 for a certificate of entitlement to attach to their second nationality passport. In the past, dual nationals were able to enter the UK using their non-British passport at no cost.

Dual nationals attempting to gain entry to the UK solely with a foreign passport may face hurdles. Although British citizens have a legal right to reside in the UK, travellers could be subjected to extra scrutiny while their status is verified. They might also be barred from boarding if they fail to prove their right of entry.

The Government rolled out these regulations last year, but numerous dual nationals have argued the changes arrived with insufficient warning and inadequate communication. Anxiety is growing that getaways or work journeys could face disruption if people don’t obtain a passport or certificate of entitlement quickly enough.

Why have ETAs been introduced?

ETAs have been brought in as part of wider plans for a “more streamlined, digital immigration system” which the Government expects will be faster and more secure for the millions crossing the UK border each year. It’s a digital travel authorisation – not a visa or levy, simply granting someone permission to travel to the UK.

Government officials maintain that introducing ETAs mirrors the approach numerous other countries have taken for border security, such as the US and Australia.

At present, an ETA costs £16 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time across a two-year period. There are plans to raise the charge to £20 down the line.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “From February 25, 2026, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement when travelling to the UK. Without one, carriers cannot verify they are a British citizen, which may lead to delays or refused boarding.

“Public information advising dual nationals to carry the correct documentation has been available since October 2024 and a substantive communications campaign about the introduction of ETA has been running since 2023. This requirement applies to all British citizens regardless of other nationality and is the same approach taken by other countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia.”