The Foreign Office has updated travel guidance warning Brits heading to popular destinations to expect potential flight disruptions
Nicola Roy Multimedia content creator
13:02, 21 Mar 2026
Australia is a hugely popular destination for Brits(Image: Kieran Stone via Getty Images)
This week, British travellers heading overseas have been warned that their holiday plans could face disruption.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the government department responsible for issuing travel guidance to ensure public safety, has updated its advice for several popular tourist destinations.
The continuing tensions in the Middle East mean delays and other forms of disruption are likely, even for those not travelling to the region itself. The FCDO sometimes advises against all travel to particular countries.
While these destinations don’t fall into that bracket, it remains crucial to follow the guidance.
The update states: “Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.
“Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.”
The FCDO has issued this update for countries including Australia, New Zealand and Thailand this week. Before departing, travellers are advised to review the guidance for any countries or territories they’ll be passing through, reports the Express.
It’s also recommended that you check the latest information from your airline or tour operator before setting off.
Additionally, reviewing your travel insurance policy beforehand can be beneficial, just to confirm what’s covered if your arrangements are disrupted.
The FCDO added: “Monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts.”
Ignoring advice from the FDCO could potentially render your travel insurance null and void, so it’s crucial to check over the details before you take off.
Your insurance should cover your planned itinerary, activities and any emergency expenses.
JORDAN Wright’s death has been shrouded in mystery as the Towie star was seen pacing erratically before he was found in a drainage canal.
The beloved TV personality, whose new iPhone was found nearby, also checked in to a luxury hotel alone before his tragic passing.
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Jordan Wright was found dead on March 14Credit: Instagram/@jordanwrightsHis body was found in a drainage canal in ThailandCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
It also remains unclear how long Wright, who used to date Vicky Pattison, had been missing for – or whether he was under the influence of intoxicants.
Wright was due to check out of his room on March 13, according to staff at Hotel COCO Phuket Bangtao where he was believed to have been staying.
But employees told police he never did check out – meaning he could have been missing for days.
It is currently unclear who the last person to see Wright was or how long he had vanished for.
Cops said they were led to Hotel COCO due to the key card inside Wright’s pocket at the time he was found.
He was reportedly seen pacing frantically shortly before his death, but it has not been confirmed whether anyone saw Wright at this time in person.
Why was he pacing around on CCTV?
Despite footage reportedly showing the ITV star looking restless before he was found dead at 12.30pm local time – it is not clear why he was in this alleged frantic state.
Cops said: “CCTV footage showed that he appeared restless and was moving back and forth in front of the hotel before leaving the area.”
An autopsy is currently being carried out to determine his cause of death.
But it will also conclude whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
No signs of physical assault or struggle were found on his body, authorities confirmed.
There were also no signs of forced entry or disturbances at his hotel room.
Police have launched an investigation into the case to probe the full circumstances of Wright’s death.
He had checked in at Hotel COCO in PhuketCredit: Coco PhuketWright pictured with Vicky PattisonCredit: Fame Flynet
When did he end up in the canal?
It is also unclear when exactly Wright entered the canal drain.
He was said to have been wearing a grey shirt and black trousers but no shoes on when he was found.
Authorities said Wright had been in the canal for some time, but didn’t elaborate on how long he was in there.
They only said the Brit star was believed to have been dead for no longer than two days.
Police said: “His movements eventually led to the location where his body was later discovered.
“We are still waiting for the autopsy results from Vachira Phuket Hospital to determine whether drugs were present in his system.”
Why was his phone left on a nearby bank?
Police explained that Wright’s new iPhone 17 was found on a nearby bank.
It was not in his trouser pockets, unlike the hotel key card police discovered.
Both Wright and the location of his phone are about a 20-minute walk away from Hotel COCO.
The Towie and Ex On The Beach star had posted photos online of his life in Thailand in the weeks leading up to his tragic death.
His “new life” showed him enjoying beach trips and taking part in martial arts classes.
It is unclear why the popular TV personality, from Basildon, Essex, had left the smartphone behind.
The star was best known for Towie and Ex On The BeachCredit: ITVTributes have poured in for the late starCredit: MTV
Why did he check into the hotel alone?
Wright had also checked into a hotel room alone before he was found dead on Saturday.
It is not understood why Wright checked into the luxury hotel alone, and what day he checked in.
He was reportedly seen in security camera footage outside the hotel.
But police have said: “CCTV footage related to the incident is part of the case file and cannot be released at this stage.”
They also confirmed: “Hotel records showed that he had checked in alone and was due to check out on March 13, but staff reported that he never checked out.”
Did he have drugs or alcohol in his system?
The star’s autopsy will determine whether or not Wright had any drugs or alcohol in his system.
Wright was seen pacing frantically before his death, but it is unclear what caused him to do this.
Pictures showed police scouring the scene in the aftermath of his death.
Several reality TV figures have paid their respects to Jordan online, including his The Only Way is Essex co-stars.
Fellow Towie star Chloe Brockett wrote in an emotional tribute “Rest in peace Jordan” followed by a red heart emoji.
While Love Island star Chloe Crowhurst also took to the comments, penning “Rest in peace Jord” with a white heart and cloud emoji.
Before Wright was named, an FCDO spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities”.
Wright pictured in uniform as a firefighter at the age of 19Credit: Instagram/@jordanwrights
