With the resumption of hostilities in the Persian Gulf, including new attacks by Iran on its Arab neighbours, several Western governments maintain very cautious travel advisories – or even exacerbate them – for the Middle East. Australian, Canadian, American, British and German authorities consider the security situation to remain extremely volatile, with a high risk of further strikes, missile launches, drone attacks and transport disruptions.
France, on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' alert level, has not made any changes since mid-June. The ministry nevertheless informs that " The evolution of the situation in the region must continue to be the subject of constant attention. French nationals in the region are urged to remain vigilant." .
The Anglo-Saxon world is more radical in its assessments.
By contrast, Australia and Canada have adopted a more alarmist tone. Australia, via its Smartraveller website, advises against all travel to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. It also recommends reconsidering any travel to Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, including for passengers transiting through major Gulf hubs. This poses a real dilemma for Australian travellers transiting through the Middle East on their way to Europe. The Gulf region accounts for more than 30% of transfers to the rest of the world…
Canada is taking a similar stance. Ottawa is advising its nationals to avoid non-essential travel to large parts of the Middle East and warns that airspace closures, flight cancellations, and operational restrictions could impact travellers well beyond conflict zones.
The United States is maintaining a regional security alert. The State Department is classifying Bahrain, Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates at Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”), while Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and Yemen remain at Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”).
The UK also maintains strengthened recommendations. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to the most exposed countries, notably Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, while calling for reconsideration of travel to several Gulf States due to the risk of a rapid deterioration of the situation.
Finally, in Germany, the Foreign Office stresses that the situation can change very rapidly and recommends avoiding travel to conflict zones.
Overall, these governments are warning of sudden airspace closures, flight cancellations and route changes that may occur without prior notice.
Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Kuwait airports remain open but continue to register delays and disruptions, with many airlines still avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace. The nights of Saturday to Sunday and Sunday to Monday proved this: they recorded numerous flight delays in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. However, the situation had returned to normal by Monday morning. But schedule volatility, with last-minute changes, is once again very much present.
