Traveling from Australia right now requires careful consideration. Your travel plans or your schools including student group travel may be affected.
Military conflict in the Middle East has caused widespread airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions both in the region and across the globe. There are also global fuel supply challenges causing widespread travel impacts.
Fuel supply shortages
There are global fuel supply challenges, with many countries introducing fuel restrictions and local measures to preserve fuel supplies.
It has triggered a severe global airline crisis by driving up jet fuel prices, which have nearly doubled, forcing carriers to surge airfares by up to 30% and significantly increase fuel surcharges. The instability has caused over 43,000 flight cancellations, impacting routes across Asia and Europe.
If you travel overseas, your plans may be impacted. There may be delays or cancellations to flights and local transport, changes in availability of food, water and medicines, venue closures or impacts on essential services.
New measures may be introduced at short notice. Keep updated via the federal government Smarttraveller advice, read the travel advice for your destination and follow the relevant Australian Embassy on social media.
Transiting and travelling to the Middle East
Advice to ‘do not travel’ also applies to transit and layovers in affected locations. Even if you don’t plan to leave the airport, do not transit through these countries.
Australian embassies and consulates in Israel and the UAE remain closed
- Airspace may close at short notice.
- Flights can change or stop suddenly. Borders can close.
- If you travel to or transit through a ‘Do not travel’ country, you may be unable to leave. Your safety will be at risk.
- If your trip includes a transit or stops in a ‘Do not travel’ country do not cancel your flights until you get professional advice.
- Check your travel insurance policy for coverage of flight delays, cancellations and changes to travel advice levels. You may not be covered due to war clause in policy.
- If your trip does not include a ‘Do not travel’ country, still confirm your flights with your travel agent or airline 48 hours before you travel. Monitor your flight for updates until you leave for the airport.
Global safety and security
Conflict in the Middle East could impact safety and security elsewhere. There is a heightened risk of reprisal attacks and further escalation. Protests and civil unrest may happen globally. The risk of terrorist attacks can increase, particularly around:
- places of worship
- shopping malls and markets
- public transport and transportation hubs
- bars, nightclubs, cafes and restaurants
- hotels and residential compounds
- embassies
- government facilities, police stations and locations of security forces
- festivals and concerts
- stadiums and sporting venues.
There is growing concern about increased risk of attacks on Israeli, Jewish and US interests globally. Avoid Israeli and US diplomatic missions and locations associated with Israeli, Jewish and US interests.
Airlines
Should I cancel my flight through the Middle East? NO
Wait for airline cancellation: Travelers are advised not to proactively cancel. The minute you cancel your flights, you are effectively doing a “change of mind” and can therefore lose a significant number of the consumer rights that you have.
- If the airline cancels the flight, you are entitled to a full cash refund.
- Please contact the provider you booked your trip with to confirm your available options.
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- If your booking was made through ASA’s travel management company, FCM, reach out to them directly—they can assist with all requirements.
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- If you booked through another travel agent or an online platform, you will need to contact that provider.
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- Airlines generally cannot make changes to third‑party bookings and will direct you back to your booking agent.
- Airlines will work through disruptions in date order, prioritising travellers departing soon, so sometimes it’s best to wait for the airline’s official guidance which is located on their websites.
Qatar Airways is offering full refunds or free date changes for flights booked with travel dates between February 28 and June 15, 2026. Rebooking options allow for travel up to October 31, 2026, while refunds may take up to 28 working days to process. For further information please click on the link https://www.qatarairways.com/en-au/rebooking-options.html
Virgin Australia flights operated by Qatar Airways (often codeshare VA1-VA22) is offering full refunds, travel credits, or free rebooking for passengers with flights to/from Doha operated by Qatar Airways, due to cancellations resulting from Middle East instability, specifically for flights up to 15 June 2026. For affected flights, this policy applies to passengers who no longer wish to travel, with options for rebooking up to 31 October 2026. For further information please click on the link https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/book/manage-booking/disruption-info/updates-on-virgin-australia-doha-services/
Etihad Airways is offering free rebooking or full refunds for flights booked on or before February 28, 2026, with original travel dates up to April 15, 2026. Affected passengers can rebook without fees, provided the new flight is by June 15, 2026. For further information please click on the link https://www.etihadhub.com/en-ae/news/waiver-for-guests-impacted-by-the-middle-east-situation
Emirates is offering full refunds or free rebooking for flights impacted by regional airspace closures and conflict, with current waivers generally covering travel through April 30, 2026. For further information please click on the link https://www.emirates.com/au/english/help/travel-updates/
Qantas is offering full fee-free refunds or flight credits for bookings to, from, or via the Middle East (including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Israel, Jordan, and Oman) due to airspace closures. This applies to flights booked on/before April 30, 2026, for travel between Feb 28 and April 30, 2026. For further information please click on the link https://www.qantas.com/gb/en/travel-info/travel-updates.html
- Qantas continuing to operate its QF9 Perth-London service, with a refuelling stop in Singapore due to the longer route required to avoid restricted airspace. The re-routing adds at least three hours to the total journey time. Passengers will disembark at Changi while aircraft refuelled.
- Qantas will increase capacity on flights between Australia and Europe, with extra services between Perth and Rome and from Sydney to Paris via Singapore.
- Qantas is ramping up flights to Europe and redeploying aircraft from its US network. The airline will progressively roll out the changes from mid-April through to late July, increasing capacity on key European routes.
- Qantas boosted Perth-Singapore service to 10 flights per week.
Your school yet to access the ASA travel program just email ASA Travel Procurement Manager at kmantle@anglischools.edu.au
By Karen Mantle
ASA Travel Procurement Manager