Travel insurance

The Foreign Office has advised against travel to certain countries.

At the start of this month, the UK Government issued guidance advising British citizens in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates to register their whereabouts. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is then able to send them direct updates.

There are roughly 300,000 British nationals in the region, of which over 170,000 have registered their presence with the FCDO. The Foreign Office has been revising its travel guidance for Middle Eastern countries and those in the vicinity, as the ongoing conflict continues to cause significant disruption.

The Government stated it is in discussions with commercial operators and regional countries regarding the arrangement of additional flights, as regional airspace has now partially reopened.

One of the most recent updates from the UK Foreign Office relates to entry into Egypt from Jordan.

Guidance stated: “Ferry services operate between Aqaba, Jordan and Taba Heights and Nuweiba in Egypt. Contact ferry operators directly for schedules and availability. Please check travel advice for Jordan for the latest on exit requirements.

“If your stay in Sinai will exceed 15 days, or you are planning to travel in Egypt beyond the Sinai Peninsula, including to fly from mainland airports, for example Cairo or Hurghada, you will need an entry visa”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The statement continued: “If entering at Taba Heights, this costs 35 US dollars. If entering at Nuweiba, this costs 30 US dollars. Visas can be purchased at the port terminals. Travellers should obtain USD in cash before travelling given payments are often required in cash.”

Currently, the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to certain regions of Egypt. Ignoring advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office could invalidate your travel insurance.

There is an increased risk of regional tension which could result in travel disruption and other unforeseen consequences. The Foreign Office stated: “British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.”

These precautions include:

• Subscribing to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts.
• Keeping an eye on local and international media for the latest updates.
• Signing up to local information alerts/resources and following the instructions of the local authorities.
• Avoiding areas surrounding security or military facilities.

The Foreign Office strongly advises against all travel within a 20km radius of the Egypt-Libya border, with the exception of the town of El Salloum, where it recommends only essential travel.

Active military operations targeting criminal activity are ongoing in this area.

It recommends against all travel to North Sinai Governate owing to ongoing criminal activity and terrorist attacks targeting police and security forces that have led to fatalities.

The complete list of areas the FCDO advises against travelling to can be found here.

Simon Calder gave his thoughts on when travel disruption will start to ease following the strikes on Iran

A travel expert has shared his views on when ‘people will be able to travel again’ as the Middle East conflict continues to escalate. Journalist Simon Calder, who specialises in travel, discussed the crisis and its impact on worldwide travel.

American and Israeli strikes on Iran are approaching the end of their second week, with no resolution in sight. Travel to the Middle East remains limited, with airlines cutting back on the number of flights to and from the area.

Countries such as Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates serve as vital transport hubs for destinations including Asia and Australasia. The outbreak of hostilities has left hundreds of thousands of travellers stuck.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Calder offered his perspective on when travel might become more straightforward. He said: “We’ve already seen missiles sent to Turkey and attacks on Cyprus. Now, personally, I think the chances of anything happening to a tourist in Turkey or Cyprus are microscopically low, but I also know that people are rebooking away. They’re going to the western Mediterranean – typically Spain and Portugal – because they believe they will be safer there.

“If you’re flying from the UK to a holiday spot such as Turkey or Cyprus and that flight is cancelled, then, fortunately, air passenger rights rules are squarely on your side. The airline that cancels the flight has to get you to your destination as soon as possible, regardless of the cost. And if you can’t get there immediately, the airline has to provide meals and accommodation, if necessary, before you are able to get to your destination.

“The Foreign Office warns against travel to Kuwait, to Bahrain, to Qatar and, crucially, to the UAE, home to the busiest hub in the world: Dubai International Airport. But I’m also predicting that, actually, that ruling is going to lift fairly quickly, and people will be able to travel again.”

Flights are still operating through Dubai International Airport, despite two Iranian drones injuring four people after exploding at the facility. The Dubai Media Office, which releases statements on behalf of the city-state’s government, confirmed flights are continuing, and that the attack caused ‘minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national, and moderate injuries to one Indian national’.

Officials have been attempting to restore its flight schedule, though the airport has been targeted amid the conflict. The war has created uncertainty for travellers with flights booked in the coming weeks, prompting Mr Calder to offer his guidance on what passengers should do.

READ MORE: Iran war travel expert Simon Calder issues Emirates ‘flights will be resuming’ updateREAD MORE: Martin Lewis explains ‘safe thing to do’ ahead of April 1 price change

“If your flight is due to go, I’d say, a week or more from now, well, all you can do is just hope that it goes ahead,” he stated. “If you’re going imminently and you do not know if your trip is running, well, the basic news is that if you go to Abu Dhabi, to Dubai, to Doha, you will be going against Foreign Office advice. So, be aware of that; your travel insurance will be invalidated.

“I’ve got some skin in the game. I am booked to fly out on Saturday night from Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, through to Abu Dhabi and connect onwards to London. Now, at the moment, along with many, many other travellers, I’m absolutely promised the flight will go ahead as normal, and I trust that it will. But I simply do not know.

“At the moment, I’m definitely not cancelling my flight because, well, bluntly, if you cancel the flight – which is what the airlines would really like you to do – you will simply be removing yourself from the problem. If, like me, you’re booked in a few days’ time and you do have a bit of flexibility, then absolutely keep your booking open.

“If you go for a refund, first of all, the airline will be delighted because you’ll be a problem that’s removed from their cares and, secondly, you could find yourself paying three times, five times, 10 times as much to get back. Much better to remain a problem for the airline; they’ve got to get you where you need to be.”

Specialist Claer Barrett issued the advice to concerned people who have flights in the area booked

A travel specialist is calling on Brits to stay calm and follow crucial guidance if their travel arrangements have been jeopardised due to the US-Israel military action against Iran. Travel chaos continues to plague the Middle East as Iran launches counter-attacks.

It is estimated that more than 100,000 Britons were left stranded in the area as airports including Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai shut down operations because of the hostilities. More than 2,000 passengers landed in the UK on evacuation flights from the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, according to Government officials.

Questions persist about the duration of the conflict, casting doubt over numerous travellers’ plans given the crucial role of Gulf airports as connection hubs for journeys to Asia and Australasia. Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine, specialist Claer Barrett delivered ‘vital’ guidance for those planning to travel in the near future.

She stated: “My big message to everyone watching is don’t panic and hit the cancel button, because if you cancel a flight, a holiday, whatever, yourself, you won’t have as many rights as if the airline cancels the flight.

“Let’s start off with flights,” she went on. “So if an airline cancels your flight, as long as you’re flying with a UK airline or departing or flying back to a UK or EU airport, you’re legally entitled to choose. So if they cancel you, you can say, ‘Well, I want a refund, I want my money back,’ or, ‘I want a different flight with a different airline, I want to be rerouted’ or offered assistance if you were stuck somewhere. So it’s important not to cancel yourself.

READ MORE: Travel expert Simon Calder update for people with Dubai, Qatar or Abu Dhabi flights bookedREAD MORE: Aviation expert Alex Macheras predicts when Emirates, BA, and Qatar Airways flights might resume

“But if your upcoming holiday is in the affected area, the advice from Which?, the big consumer website, is monitor the airline’s website to determine whether your plans are going to be affected, because lots of different places are or aren’t.

“Keep an eye on the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office website, that’s the FCDO, they’re the people who can issue ‘do not travel’ warnings. And for goodness’ sake, make sure that you’ve got your travel insurance in place when you book your holiday.

“This is the advice that me and other consumer experts give, because something could happen before you go and you’d need to make a claim.”

Package holidays

Package breaks – where holidaymakers purchase their flights and lodging in a single booking from the same provider – are frequently more economical and generally regarded as being a more secure choice. The explanation for this is that numerous packages are safeguarded by the Atol scheme or the Package Travel Regulations (PRTs).

Any package holiday booked in the UK automatically comes with the protection of the PTRs, whilst package holidays that include a flight are safeguarded by Atol. All travel firms selling package holidays with flights to UK customers are legally obliged to hold an Atol licence.

This ensures people are brought home during a crisis. When the original Thomas Cook went under in 2019, nearly 150,000 holidaymakers were flown back by the UK government in the largest repatriation in the UK’s peacetime history.

You will also receive a refund if your package holiday is cancelled, and be compensated if various factors result in a subpar trip.

“So we’ve covered flights, but package holidays, you’re much better protected with a package holiday because most of them, anyway, are reaching out proactively, I’m hearing, to customers who do have packages booked to the Middle East,” Claer continued.

“And most of them are offering people for no charge the ability to either move their holiday dates or, in many cases, change destination, you know, so you still have your holiday but you go somewhere else. So speak to your tour operator and see what they can do for you.”

Travel expert Ash Bhardwaj said people who are still in the country should ‘prepare’

People affected by the Middle East conflict have been urged to gather a few essential items and keep them “ready to go” amid the ongoing war in Iran. Having these on hand will make sudden changes a lot less scary and chaotic, an expert has claimed.

Speaking on a recent episode of BBC Morning Live, travel expert Ash Bhardwaj said: “One of the best things you can always do is just make sure you have a grab bag. So, if you have to move quickly, you’ve got your essentials with you.”

Although it may look different for everyone, some things will likely be part of anyone’s emergency bag. Ash suggested that packing a ‘grab bag’ in advance could help during any panic that might set in during an emergency.

He said: “[That includes things like] passports, essential medicines and maybe any documents for travel insurance if you’ve got them printed out. If you’ve got kids, a change of underwear, a couple of t-shirts and some snacks.

“If you’ve got babies, and you’re no longer breastfeeding but still feeding them with formula or milk, get enough for 48 to 72 hours. This isn’t to scare you, it’s just so that you have actually thought everything through and it relaxes you.”

The broadcaster said that people should prepare and “plan for when the worst might happen”. Speaking to hotel staff can help point out emergency exits, procedures, and other important safety measures.

As of March 5, 2026, the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates. There are other parts of the Middle East and surrounding areas that have also been listed as completely or partially unsafe for travel – read that latest round-up here.

The current situation in Iran caused tensions to erupt last week, on February 28, when the US and Israel launched extensive strikes. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had been in power since 1989, was killed during the initial wave of attacks.

The conflict has sparked travel chaos throughout parts of the Gulf region, including Dubai. For the most recent developments, click here for updates on travel and news.

In an update from March 5, Dubai’s Emirates Airline has announced it will operate over 100 flights on March 5 and 6 from Dubai. The airline said it will “continue to gradually build back its flying schedule, subject to airspace availability and all operational requirements being met”, adding that “safety is always our top priority”.

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.”

Jo Knox travelled to Tenerife for a relaxing break, but was left with only the clothes on her back after a shuttle service booked through easyJet Holidays lost her suitcase on the way to the hotel

A holidaymaker who was left without her luggage on a ten-night trip to Tenerife has slammed easyJet Holidays’ response as ‘unhelpful’ and ‘rude’.

Jo Knox arrived on the winter sun island on January 13, eager to enjoy some sunshine, but her holiday turned into a nightmare when her case went missing from a Canaryshuttle service en-route to her hotel.

Jo, who was travelling in a party of four with her husband, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, has taken easyJet Holidays to small claims court as she claims it left her thousands of pounds out of pocket.

When contacted for comment, easyJet declined to give a statement, with a spokesperson saying: “We’re sorry to hear about Joanne’s missing luggage on her recent holiday to Tenerife. Our team in resort worked hard to assist in resolving the situation as quickly as possible. As this matter is now subject to legal proceedings, it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

However, Jo says that easyJet have only given her £231 in compensation for her lost baggage, and her travel insurance company will not cover the claim as she willingly handed her luggage to the shuttle bus driver before it went missing.

She said: “We landed into Tenerife South and collected four cases, one each. We walked up to the coach and the driver was there. He took my case off me. I’m always a bit paranoid when I go on holiday, so I always stand there and make sure my case is definitely on.”

Jo claims that when the cases were loaded, they were put on neatly, “like a box of matches”, but later she noticed the luggage had been moved. Jo’s brother-in-law took a photo on arrival to show family members the sunny weather, and managed to capture proof that Jo’s distinctive red suitcase had been loaded onto the shuttle bus.

“He said,’ I’ve got a picture here’.”, Jo recalled. “So he’d sent me it and it was timestamped 12.33pm. Now as we’d got on the coach my husband said we definitely departed that coach at 12.42pm because they have big clocks at the front like digital clocks and I noticed the time. But he said on this picture my case is facing the other way he said it’s like it’s been turned as if it’s easy to get off”.

Jo said the shuttle bus made a couple of stops before hers, and she saw passengers get off at their hotels but didn’t see anyone take her red case. However, a short while later when they reached their destination, Jo’s luggage was nowhere to be found.

“It definitely never came off that bus”, Jo claimed. “So, we immediately spoke to the driver, and when we’d got on the bus he was laughing and joking with us. He could speak broken English. But the minute we started questioning about my case, he shrugged his shoulders.”

“So my husband and my brother-in-law are bending down, trying to look under, you know, inside the cage. And he put his arm out and he’s like, no, no, no, no. And then literally the, the flap came down and he got on the coach and drove away.”

Heading to reception, Jo rang easyJet immediately, and claims they were less than helpful. Jo says she couldn’t recall the name of the coach company at the time and easyJet were unable to give her the information. She began to panic, as she was there for 10 nights, and all of her belongings including some medication was in her case.

The next morning, she headed to the airport and tried to speak to members of the Canaryshuttle team, where she was told to email the office. One airport worker who worked for another airline told Jo that as she booked a package through easyJet, it was the company’s responsibility to assist her.

Going back to the easyJet desk, Jo said she pled with a rep to help her out, only to be told the case had already been investigated and closed. She claims the rep told her, “The case is closed. Move away. There’s nothing we can do.”

However, later the rep got in touch with Jo and agreed to escort her to the police station. While Jo wanted to make a complaint about the driver, she claims that the rep said she’d known the driver for eight years and could “vouch for him”. She requested that the police look at CCTV around the coach stand, but says that the airport has not provided the data to police.

Instead of relaxing on a sunbed, Jo faced a dash around the island’s shops to try and get some items together for her holiday. She managed to get replacement diabetes medication from a local pharmacy, and bought some basics such as dresses and knickers to replace the lost items. She said easyJet initially offered €25 a day for three days, a maximum of €75, which is just over £65.

When claiming online with easyJet, she submitted 16 receipts and says eventually they paid 12 of them, with her compensation so far totalling £231. However, she has been left unable to claim any other expenses or resolve her case with easyJet customer services.

Jo sat down and itemised everything in her case, estimating the total value would be £2,712. She’s now submitted a claim to a small claims court to cover the cost of her luggage, as well as the cost of her holiday for her and her husband, and £500 for the “severe distress” caused.

READ MORE: Canary Islands’ ‘hidden gem’ has unspoiled beaches, £2 beer and 21C March weatherREAD MORE: Foreign Office issues travel ban for Brits heading to popular Caribbean island

Jo’s sunshine break was ruined by the events: “It spoiled all our holidays, literally, I was just in tears. I just wanted to come home. And my husband sort of said, look, if it’s just me and you, yes, I get it. Let’s go home. But because it was [my in-laws’] first time in Tenerife and they’d been looking forward to this for so long, I begrudgingly stayed but I just wanted to come home in all honesty.”

She added that “all I want in an ideal world is just my case to turn up”.

ALSA who own Canaryshuttle have been contacted for comment.

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