Middle East Travel Safety Update — March 2026

What Happened

Beginning 28 February 2026, a significant escalation of hostilities in the Middle East prompted multiple governments to issue new or upgraded travel warnings for the region. The United States Department of State (US DOS) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO) both issued updated advisories for several countries in the region.

The escalation has had a direct impact on commercial aviation, with airspace closures and flight diversions affecting routes across the eastern Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. Travellers who were already in the region or had upcoming trips have faced disruptions including flight cancellations, route changes, and extended journey times.

This article provides a factual summary of the current situation as of 3 March 2026, the affected countries, the advisory levels issued, and the practical steps travellers can take.

Airspace Disruptions

Multiple airlines have suspended or rerouted flights through the eastern Mediterranean and parts of the Persian Gulf. Key disruptions include:

• Israeli airspace: Closed to all commercial traffic. Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) operations suspended.
• Overflight rerouting: Airlines avoiding eastern Mediterranean airspace are adding 1–3 hours to routes between Europe and the Gulf, South Asia, and East Africa.
• Gulf carriers: Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Gulf Air have adjusted some routes but continue operating from their hubs.
• European carriers: British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, and others have suspended flights to Tel Aviv and rerouted overflights.

Travellers transiting through the region should check with their airline for the latest flight status. Flight times on affected routes may be significantly longer than scheduled.

What Travellers Should Do

If you are currently in an affected country or have upcoming travel plans, the following steps are recommended by the US DOS and UK FCDO:

1. Check your government's travel advisory — these are updated regularly and provide the most current risk assessment for each country.
2. Register with your embassy — the US Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and UK FCDO registration service allow your government to contact you in an emergency.
3. Keep copies of important documents — store digital and physical copies of your passport, visa, insurance policy, and emergency contacts separately from the originals.
4. Monitor your flight status — check with your airline at least 24 hours before departure and again at the airport.
5. Avoid border areas — in countries like Jordan and Israel, border zones carry significantly higher risk than urban tourist areas.
6. Keep your phone charged and connected — ensure you have a working local or international SIM or eSIM for receiving emergency alerts.
7. Know your insurance coverage — review your travel insurance policy to understand what is and isn't covered during periods of heightened advisory levels.

How Evacuation Coverage Generally Works

Many travel insurance policies include emergency evacuation coverage, but the conditions under which it applies during geopolitical events vary significantly between providers. Common conditions typically include:

• The traveller must have arrived in the country before the travel warning was issued or upgraded.
• The evacuation must typically occur within a specific window (often 7–10 days after the warning is issued).
• The insurer may require documentation such as proof of entry date, original travel itinerary, and evidence that commercial transport was unavailable.
• Coverage may be limited to evacuation to the nearest safe location, not necessarily to the traveller's home country.

These conditions vary widely. For detailed information about evacuation coverage and travel insurance options, visit our Travel Insurance Hub.

Documentation Travellers Should Keep

Regardless of your insurance status, the following documentation is important to maintain:

• Entry stamps or immigration records showing your date of arrival.
• Original booking confirmations for flights, hotels, and tours.
• Screenshots or printouts of the travel advisory at the time of your arrival (to prove it was issued after you entered).
• Receipts for any additional expenses incurred due to the disruption (rebooking fees, extra accommodation, food).
• Correspondence with airlines and travel providers about cancellations or changes.
• Your travel insurance policy number and emergency contact details for your insurer.