Hundreds of thousands of passengers have been left stranded after the US-Israeli attack on Iran. Retaliatory strikes by Iran have led to airspace being closed across the Gulf and triggered the biggest disruption to global air travel since the Covid pandemic. If you are a UK holidaymaker struggling to get home or are booked to fly to an affected destination, here is a guide to your rights.
Where are flights affected?
Israel, Syria, Qatar, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain have shut their airspace and there are no flights over the United Arab Emirates.
Emirates, the word’s largest international carrier, has suspended all flights to and from Dubai. Etihad Airways has suspended all flights in and out of Abu Dhabi while Qatar Airways has grounded its fleet.
The closure of Dubai, the world’s busiest international hub, is affecting flights from other parts of the world that are routed through it. Air India, for instance, has cancelled flights to Europe and North America.
What should I do if my flight back to the UK has been cancelled?
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to register their presence to receive direct updates.
The FCDO is drawing up plans to evacuate tens of thousands of people if the situation escalates. Disruption to flights scheduled to pass through affected areas may last days or weeks as airlines scramble to organise alternative routes amid the rapidly evolving crisis.
People who are overseas already should await updates from their airline and keep checking the FCDO website for advice.
Do I have to pay my hotel costs if I’m stuck abroad?
It depends which airline your flights are booked with. If you are booked with a UK or EU carrier it is obliged by UK and EU legislation to fund your accommodation and food costs until a suitable alternative flight can be arranged. These rights also apply to all flights departing the UK.
Passengers booked with non UK/EU carriers must check their entitlements with their airline or on the relevant government website. The UAE government has confirmed that it will pay the accommodation costs of stranded passengers.
What are my rights if I am due to fly on holiday to the region?
If your flight from the UK is cancelled because of the war, you are covered by UK passenger rights legislation, UK 261. This requires airlines to offer you a suitable alternative flight at the earliest opportunity or a refund. If you choose a refund you must confirm it with the airline and should receive it within seven days. However, you will not be entitled to the additional fixed-sum compensation set out under the regulations because war counts as an “extraordinary circumstance” for which airlines cannot be held liable.
If you’ve booked a package holiday, you are covered by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations. The travel provider must offer you an alternative holiday or reimburse you in full should your holiday be cancelled or substantially changed.
My flight hasn’t been cancelled, but I no longer feel safe holidaying in the Middle East or north Africa. Should I cancel?
You should ideally wait to see what happens. If, nearer the time, your destination is deemed unsafe and the flight is cancelled, your airline will reimburse you, whereas if you cancel yourself before this happens you lose the right to a refund.
Keep in touch with the airline and the FCDO website to see what the advice is. You can always cancel the day before departure if the flight is unaffected but you still don’t want to go.
Can I claim on my travel insurance if the war prevents me taking my flights?
The answer is probably no. Most travel insurance policies do not cover acts of war or terror.
