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A major travel update has been issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for Brits travelling to Cyprus as tensions in the Middle East escalate

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued an update on travel to Cyprus, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Today (Thursday, 5 March), the FCDO has warned that “terrorist attacks in Cyprus cannot be ruled out”. In the updated advice, the Foreign Office stated: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”

They added that terrorist attacks “could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.” Following the update, they stated that the UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.

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While there is currently no advice against travel to Cyprus, the Foreign Office warns that the “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”. The UK government also warned of a suspected drone strike at the RAF Akrotiri base that took place on March 2.

“On 2 March 2026, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri. British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook. British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities,” the guidance reads.

“For British nationals, they advise the following:

• “Read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
• “Sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
• “Monitor local and international media for the latest information
• “Sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
• “Keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date”.

On Wednesday (March 4) it was also confirmed that various airlines had cancelled flights from the UK to parts of Cyprus amid tensions in the Middle East, including easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and TUI. Following the Foreign Office update, airlines may issue further updates on travel to Cyprus, but this is yet to be confirmed at the time of writing.

If you have an upcoming holiday, it’s best to stay in touch with your holiday provider – although they are prioritising people who are travelling imminently. As the situation is ever-evolving, travel advice can change quickly, so it’s best to check the latest Foreign Office travel advice for a destination before making any travel plans.

For more information on travel advice for Cyprus, or other areas in the Middle East, you can visit the Foreign Office website. You can also find more information on how to minimise your risk if there’s a terrorist attack while you’re away on the government website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

The BBC programme shared an update with viewers during Wednesday’s show (March 4)

The One Show issued an update after a “shocking” investigation into a soap that some claimed left children with injuries.

The most recent episode of the BBC programme (March 4) featured Watchdog Wednesday, where Matt Allwright and Nikki Fox delve into consumer concerns, reports Wales Online.

At the start of the show, Matt revealed he had news on the soap, informing hosts Alex Jones and Clara Amfo: “A major update on last week’s shocking investigation into this children’s flammable bath soap. We’ve got big progress on that.”

After delivering his other updates, he revisited the investigation when host Alex queried: “Before you go, you mentioned last week’s story because you’ve had a bit of a result? This was all about a foam spray that parents got really worried about.”

“Yeah, not surprised,” responded Matt. “In case you missed it, last week Nikki told us all about reports that Kids Stuff Crazy Soap was catching fire when used near a flame such as a candle and that was causing injury to children whilst in the bath.”

He added: “Unbelievable stuff.

“But we are pleased to say that after that report, the Office for Product Safety and Standards has now suspended the sale of the product whilst further investigations are being carried out.”

“That is a great result, Matt,” Clara commended.

A statement on the government website regarding the Kids Stuff Crazy Foaming Soap read: “The product contains butane, isobutane and propane, which are flammable gases.

“If the product is dispensed on to a flame or other ignition source, or comes into contact with a naked flame, the foam may ignite causing burns to the user.”

The statement went on: “Corrective action: The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is suspending sale of this product because of safety concerns while further investigations are carried out.

“Consumers who have the affected product should check the batch number and contact their retailer.”

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website

The One Show airs at 7pm on BBC One on weekdays

Amid the escalating Middle East conflict, Wizz Air has issued an update and confirmed that it has extended its cancellation period for four of its destinations

Wizz Air has issued a major update for four destinations and has extended its flight cancellations.

The conflict in the Middle East has caused significant travel disruptions for airlines, with thousands of flights cancelled as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warns against travel to parts of the region. Tensions remain high following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began over the weekend, with further attacks being carried out.

As the conflict escalates, Wizz Air has confirmed that it is suspending all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman up to and including Sunday, 15 March. They had originally planned to cancel these flights until 7 March, but as the conflict shows no signs of slowing, they have extended the cancellation period.

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A Wizz Air spokesperson confirmed: “Wizz Air confirms that, following the recent escalation of the security situation in Iran, the airline is suspending all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman up to and including 15 March, pending structural schedule changes reflecting reduced demand. Flights to and from Saudi Arabia will resume as planned from 8 March inclusive.

“The airline is closely monitoring developments and remains in ongoing contact with local and international authorities, aviation safety agencies, security authorities, and relevant governmental bodies. Operational decisions will continue to be reviewed, and the flight schedule may be adjusted as the situation evolves.

“The safety and security of our passengers, crew and aircraft remain Wizz Air’s highest priority. We acknowledge the disruption this may cause and appreciate the understanding of our customers. Passengers with affected bookings will be contacted directly with information regarding their options.”

The extension comes just a few days after Wizz Air first announced that it had suspended all flights to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman. Wizz Air joins other major airlines that have cancelled or amended hundreds of flights to parts of the Middle East amid the chaos.

Wizz Air, which has been working hard to ensure passenger safety, confirmed that flights to and from Saudi Arabia will recommence as planned from 8 March. In a bid to support passengers who need to travel to or from Israel, Wizz Air is planning to add flights to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) from various European airports.

If approved, the extra flights, which will provide a connection between Israel and Europe, will begin on Friday, 6 March. They will be as follows:

• Budapest (BUD): from 3 to 10 weekly flights
• Rome Fiumicino (FCO): from 11 to 18 weekly flights
• London Luton (LTN): from 4 to 8 weekly flights
• Milan Malpensa (MXP): from 6 to 11 weekly flights
• Sofia (SOF): from 0 to 3 weekly flights

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Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

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.”

READ MORE: Aviation expert Alex Macheras predicts when Emirates, BA, and Qatar Airways flights might resumeREAD MORE: Travel expert Simon Calder explains when Dubai, Emirates and Qatar flights could resume

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.”

The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Turkey and Cyprus amidst the ongoing conflict between Iran, the US and Israel

Travel warnings have been issued for Brits in both Cyprus and Turkey as the conflict between Iran, the US and Israel enters its fourth day.

A huge swathe of the global airspace has been shut down completely as the conflict spreads further across the region. Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have exchanged strikes, with the Lebanese health ministry announcing that Israeli attacks in Beirut and southern Lebanon have killed at least 31 people, with 149 injured

On Sunday, an Iranian missile strike killed nine people in the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, while Iranian officials reported that at least 153 people were killed after a strike on a girls’ school. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian called the incident a “barbaric act”.

Have you been impacted by the conflict? If you’re safe to do so, please contact webtravel@reachplc.com

READ MORE: ‘Several’ US military jets crash in Kuwait as smoke seen near embassyREAD MORE: Death toll of Ian strikes so far as US continues combat operations and more countries are hit

It is important to note that at the time of writing, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not issued ‘do not travel’ warnings for either Turkey or Cyprus. Such alerts are key because they signal extremely high risks – such as conflict, terrorism, or civil unrest – that often instantly invalidate travel insurance, leaving tourists personally liable for accidents or medical bills.

However, the FCDO does advise against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria “due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”, warning that “your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO.”

On Sunday, the FCDO updated its Turkey travel advice for those planning to cross the border from Iran to Turkey. The border remains open visa-free for people travelling on UK or Iranian passports.

“If you are a British national intending to cross the land border from Iran into Turkey, you must request facilitation from the British Embassy in Ankara by contacting the FCDO before travelling to the border. You must state which border point you intend to use and provide personal details (name, date of birth, details of travel document used to enter Turkey). Also indicate whether you are contacting from Iran or from the UK on behalf of a relative,” the FCDO update reads.

“If you intend to leave Iran overland, you do so at your own risk. In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you. “

Concerns are also growing for Cyprus, which sits less than 100km from the coasts of Lebanon and Syria. This morning it was reported that the RAF base Akrotiri in Cyprus has been hit by a one-way attack drone. No one was reported injured.

In response to the attack, the base is moving families and temporarily relocating non-essential staff. Around 30,000 Brits live in Cyprus and 1.3million visit from the UK each year.

The Foreign Office travel advice for Cyprus was updated this morning (March 2). The latest advice reads: “On 2 March 2026, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri. British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook. British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities.”

The FCDO has also issued general advice for people in the region. It urges British nationals to take “sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.” These include:

• Read if you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
• Sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
• Monitor local and international media for the latest information
• Sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities

The governmental body has also launched a central advice hub where all the latest updates can be found. British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates can register their presence to receive direct updates from the Foreign Office.

Make sure to check the Foreign Office advice regularly if you’re travelling to or are in the region. The advice is updated often.