I’m the Sun’s Travel Expert
PASSENGERS across the globe are facing travel chaos as the escalating attacks and closure of airspace impact millions.
More than half a MILLION passengers would usually pass through the major hub airports of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha every day – and are now unable to travel.
The conflict has even brought those travelling to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus into the situation this morning – with the drone attack on the RAF Akrotiri British airbase forcing the evacuation of Paphos Airport, and more than 60 flights cancelled this week.
The government is thought to be drawing up plans for a mass evacuation of those more than 50,000 holidaymakers trapped in Dubai and neighbouring countries.
But the impact of the attacks means more than 360,000 passengers due to travel on flights and holidays via the Middle Eastern hubs across this week have now seen their plans thrown into chaos.
With the Foreign Office advising against all but essential travel to the UAE (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Qatar and Bahrain as well as Israel and Lebanon, millions more are potentially looking at their holiday plans being impacted.
Read more on travel advice
Here is everything you need to know from flights and cruises to package holidays and travel insurance.
What if I have a package holiday booked?
The UK FCDO advice change means customers have a right to cancel a package holiday (with a full refund) where there are extraordinary circumstances at the place of destination.
That will impact tour operators who had booked passengers on flights via the UAE or Qatar to destinations beyond including Asia, Australia and India.
For example, loveholidays has cancelled all holidays to the affected areas in the Middle East where travel is now banned, up until March 7.
A spokesperson said: “In line with the FCDO’s current guidance, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel and refund all holidays to the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain departing up to and including 8 March.”
Brits on package holidays in destinations like Thailand, Bali and Maldives are also being caught up in the cancellations, especially if the flights were due to fly via the Middle East.
Package holiday providers have an obligation to book you on the next available flight home, even if it means going indirectly via another country.
What does it mean if you have booked flights?
For passengers meant to be flying in or out of the region, your rights depend on whether you were flying directly in or out of the UK or EU or if you are flying with an UK or EU airline.
Those who are will not get compensation as it is not the fault of the airline, BUT they do have a duty of care to look after impacted passengers.
Depending on the length of the delay, that could include food and drink, a means of communicating and overnight accommodation.
Those flying on non-UK or EU carriers may find their rights are slightly different if they are not on a direct flight to the UK – different rules apply and you may not be provided with the same assistance.
For example, someone travelling from Mauritius to London with a non-UK or EU traveller via Dubai who has completed the first leg of their journey to Dubai but not yet been able to leave the country does not have the same rights.
While so far airlines like Emirates have been issuing hotel vouchers, there is no legal requirement to provide assistance.
They are, however, expected to offer you the right to a refund or another flight in the case of cancellations.
What about cruises?
The worsening situation in the Middle East is not just impacting those on land in the UAE and Qatar but cruise passengers.
Six cruise ships are stuck in ports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, unable to sail to safer waters without entering the Strait of Hormutz.
Among them is the MSC Euribia, which was due to depart from Doha on March 1 but remains in Dubai, where it was scheduled to visit last Friday and Saturday.
The ship is capable of carrying more than 6,000 passengers and those onboard have been told to shelter in place.
TUI has two ships in the region, Mein Schiff 4 in Abu Dhabi and Mein Schiff 5 in Doha – both were due to depart on seven night cruises on Saturday.
Celestyal cruises has two ships in the region – the 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey in Doha and the 1,360-guest Celestyal Discover in Dubai. Both ships remain in port waiting to leave.
Assistance will be provided to all impacted guests, and cruisers on cancelled sailings will receive full refunds or a future cruise credit to reschedule.
Are you covered by your travel insurance?
If you have travel insurance, it may be possible to claim for expenses incurred because of the situation.
Tim Riley, MD of travel insurer True Traveller and Chairman of the UK Travel Insurance Association representing all the major UK travel insurers says: “Standard travel insurance policies do not cover war, hostile acts, civil war, military action, invasions or similar large-scale conflict events.
“However, travellers are still covered for claims that are unrelated to the conflict itself.
“For example, if someone becomes ill, has an accident not connected to hostilities, or experiences lost or stolen baggage, those claims would typically be handled in line with the normal terms and conditions of their policy.
“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.”
However, he warned against accepting an airline refund if your flight is cancelled – as this leaves you on your own.
He added: “Accepting a refund effectively ends the airline’s duty of care, leaving the traveller responsible for arranging and paying for new flights themselves – which are likely to be significantly more expensive.
“Travel insurance will not cover the difference in cost between a refunded ticket and a new booking.”
