Conflict has escalated in the Middle East after the US and Israel launched a wave of strikes, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Blasts were reported in Jerusalem in Israel, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Doha in Qatar and Manama in Bahrain on the third day of the conflict.
Holidaymakers who have trips booked in the region are advised to follow the advice of the UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) on what to do if they are heading to or are currently in a country in the Middle East.
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Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
The FCDO does not warn against travel to the main tourist destinations in Egypt, including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria and the two Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.
Other areas of the country, however, have advisories issued against them (see more below).
What is the UK government's advice if you are already there?
The FCDO has not updated its advice for Egypt in light of the escalating conflict over the weekend.
Its advice on 2 March reads: “There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.”
“British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.”
Travellers are directed towards its “crisis abroad” guidance, which includes a list of emergency supplies in the event of an escalation.
It also says to sign up for FCDO Travel Advice email alerts, monitor local and international media for the latest information, sign up to local information alerts and follow the instructions of the local authorities.
The FCDO also says to stay away from areas around security or military facilities.
The FCDO also advises against travel in certain areas of Egypt, however these guidelines have been in place for some time. It advises against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border and North Sinai.
The FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to:
- The town of El Salloum
- The northern part of the South Sinai Governorate, beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road, except for the coastal areas along the west and east of the peninsula.
- The Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal.
- The area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, except for a list of areas that can be found here
- The Hala’ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid
How can I get home?
Flights out of Egypt’s airports are still running as of Monday morning, such as Cairo International, Sharm el-Sheikh, Alexandria Borg El Arab, Hurghada and Luxor International, according to FlightRadar.
However, flights leaving the country are subject to widespread delays as well as cancellations.
If your flight is cancelled, you are covered by UK law if you are arriving at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline.
Airlines must provide you with care and assistance if your flight is cancelled, meaning they must supply you with food and drink (often provided in the form of vouchers), means for you to communicate (often by refunding call costs), accommodation if you are given a new flight the following day and transport to and from the accommodation or your home.
The airline must provide you with these items until it is able to fly you to your destination, no matter how long the delay lasts or what has caused it, the Civil Aviation Authority says.
Can I cancel my holiday?
The FCDO has not warned against non-essential travel to parts of Egypt where tourists usually visit. So in these places, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund.
The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so it’s best to contact them if you’re looking to postpone.
There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes.
If you do have travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.
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