Iran conflict to cause ‘serious’ travel disruptions as 115,000 Australians remain

The Australian government warned travellers to prepare for “serious” disruptions as turmoil in the Middle East prompted countries to close airspace amid US and Israel strikes on Iran. Three major regional hubs—airports in Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi—halted operations, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi reported to have suffered damage.

Smartraveller expanded its “do not travel” list to include Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, and encouraged Australians to reconsider travel to Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Major carriers including Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways suspended operations and offered passengers options to rebook or request refunds; Monday morning flight data on flightradar24 showed no commercial aircraft in the airspace over the United Arab Emirates or Qatar.

Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong said about 115,000 Australians were in the region, with roughly 11,000 travelling regularly in and out of Australia on Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways.

Australia, Middle East

middle east, iran, travel disruptions, airspace closures, emirates, etihad, qatar airways, smartraveller, dubai airport, penny wong