As geopolitical tensions escalate in the Middle East , especially following the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran, the impact is rippling far beyond the borders of the region, straight into the travel itineraries of thousands of UAE residents.
In the past week alone, airlines have scrambled to adjust their flight paths and schedules in response to airspace closures, government advisories, and safety concerns. The result: a flurry of cancellations, rerouted journeys, and mounting confusion for travellers. And as many are finding out, not every plan, or payment, is protected, especially when insurance policies collide with war-zone exclusions.
Insurance May Not Have You Covered in a Crisis
Many UAE residents are increasingly opting for travel insurance, sometimes out of necessity for visa requirements, and other times for peace of mind. However, few expect that the fine print in their policy could render it ineffective in the very moment they need it most.
“If a flight is cancelled or delayed due to war, civil unrest, or government-imposed airspace restrictions, most travel insurance policies will not provide compensation,” said Avinash Babur, CEO of InsuranceMarket.ae, speaking to a local news outlet.
These scenarios, Babur explained, are typically listed under a policy's general exclusions, which include disruptions caused by war, terrorism, or state-imposed interventions. In essence, while you may be covered for a delayed suitcase or missed connection, a missile strike or regional airspace shutdown is likely not included, unless you're paying for a specialised, high-tier insurance plan.
“Only certain high-tier or specialized products may provide some coverage under such circumstances, and these are uncommon in the mass travel insurance market,” Babur added. “In such cases, travelers must rely on the airline or local consulate for support, rerouting, or refunds.”
Still, there are areas where insurance remains useful: most policies continue to cover incidental expenses such as meals, transport, or hotel stays if a flight is significantly delayed, typically after a minimum number of hours, as specified in the policy.
Airlines Offer Flexibility, But With Conditions
The rapid changes in airline operations over the past several days have left both companies and consumers navigating complex logistics. Airlines that have cancelled flights due to the situation are generally offering full refunds or the opportunity to reschedule. Tour operators have, in many cases, followed suit — but only to a point.
“Airlines are extending refunds or allowing date changes (to travel plans),” said Avinash Adnani , CEO of Neo & Pluto Travels, in comments to Gulf News . “But this only when the airline itself cancels the flight.”
That distinction is crucial. Travellers who decide to cancel on their own, even if due to safety concerns, while the flight is still operating, may be subject to the airline’s standard cancellation terms. In such cases, insurance is unlikely to intervene either.
Interestingly, the hospitality sector has shown an unusual degree of flexibility. According to Adnani, many hotels and tour operators are waiving rebooking fees and offering full refunds during this period. However, not all booking channels are created equal.
“Travelers who booked through online platforms may face more challenges,” he said. “The refund process via these channels can be tedious, often requiring multiple follow-ups through emails or call centers.”
For many passengers, these limitations become especially frustrating in urgent situations. With travel disrupted at short notice, the difference between booking through a travel agent and clicking ‘Confirm’ on an aggregator site can be significant, not just in price, but in post-booking support.
Some Routes Remain Unaffected
While Middle Eastern and European airspaces have seen the brunt of disruptions, not all destinations are affected equally. Travel between the UAE and South Asia , in particular, remains largely stable.
“Those UAE residents with flights booked to India or the Subcontinent have no reason to change their schedules,” said Shamshudeen Perambil , founder of Delta Destinations , in comments to a local outlet.
According to Perambil, it is primarily outbound travel to Europe that has seen deferments, and even those are mostly temporary. Many Gulf travellers are choosing to delay their holidays rather than cancel them outright, while in some European markets, inbound cancellations are more common.
And in a sign of goodwill during uncertain times, some airlines are even bending their own policies.
“In some cases, airlines are offering refunds even when the traveler has taken a non-refundable ticket,” Perambil noted.
This extra measure of flexibility is not uniform across all carriers, but reflects the extraordinary circumstances under which global aviation is currently operating.
What Travellers Should Keep in Mind
As the Middle East crisis continues into its second week, travellers from the UAE are advised to remain agile and informed. Here are the most important takeaways:
Airline-Initiated Cancellations:
In the past week alone, airlines have scrambled to adjust their flight paths and schedules in response to airspace closures, government advisories, and safety concerns. The result: a flurry of cancellations, rerouted journeys, and mounting confusion for travellers. And as many are finding out, not every plan, or payment, is protected, especially when insurance policies collide with war-zone exclusions.
Insurance May Not Have You Covered in a Crisis
Many UAE residents are increasingly opting for travel insurance, sometimes out of necessity for visa requirements, and other times for peace of mind. However, few expect that the fine print in their policy could render it ineffective in the very moment they need it most.
“If a flight is cancelled or delayed due to war, civil unrest, or government-imposed airspace restrictions, most travel insurance policies will not provide compensation,” said Avinash Babur, CEO of InsuranceMarket.ae, speaking to a local news outlet.
These scenarios, Babur explained, are typically listed under a policy's general exclusions, which include disruptions caused by war, terrorism, or state-imposed interventions. In essence, while you may be covered for a delayed suitcase or missed connection, a missile strike or regional airspace shutdown is likely not included, unless you're paying for a specialised, high-tier insurance plan.
“Only certain high-tier or specialized products may provide some coverage under such circumstances, and these are uncommon in the mass travel insurance market,” Babur added. “In such cases, travelers must rely on the airline or local consulate for support, rerouting, or refunds.”
Still, there are areas where insurance remains useful: most policies continue to cover incidental expenses such as meals, transport, or hotel stays if a flight is significantly delayed, typically after a minimum number of hours, as specified in the policy.
Airlines Offer Flexibility, But With Conditions
The rapid changes in airline operations over the past several days have left both companies and consumers navigating complex logistics. Airlines that have cancelled flights due to the situation are generally offering full refunds or the opportunity to reschedule. Tour operators have, in many cases, followed suit — but only to a point.
“Airlines are extending refunds or allowing date changes (to travel plans),” said Avinash Adnani , CEO of Neo & Pluto Travels, in comments to Gulf News . “But this only when the airline itself cancels the flight.”
That distinction is crucial. Travellers who decide to cancel on their own, even if due to safety concerns, while the flight is still operating, may be subject to the airline’s standard cancellation terms. In such cases, insurance is unlikely to intervene either.
Interestingly, the hospitality sector has shown an unusual degree of flexibility. According to Adnani, many hotels and tour operators are waiving rebooking fees and offering full refunds during this period. However, not all booking channels are created equal.
“Travelers who booked through online platforms may face more challenges,” he said. “The refund process via these channels can be tedious, often requiring multiple follow-ups through emails or call centers.”
For many passengers, these limitations become especially frustrating in urgent situations. With travel disrupted at short notice, the difference between booking through a travel agent and clicking ‘Confirm’ on an aggregator site can be significant, not just in price, but in post-booking support.
Some Routes Remain Unaffected
While Middle Eastern and European airspaces have seen the brunt of disruptions, not all destinations are affected equally. Travel between the UAE and South Asia , in particular, remains largely stable.
“Those UAE residents with flights booked to India or the Subcontinent have no reason to change their schedules,” said Shamshudeen Perambil , founder of Delta Destinations , in comments to a local outlet.
According to Perambil, it is primarily outbound travel to Europe that has seen deferments, and even those are mostly temporary. Many Gulf travellers are choosing to delay their holidays rather than cancel them outright, while in some European markets, inbound cancellations are more common.
And in a sign of goodwill during uncertain times, some airlines are even bending their own policies.
“In some cases, airlines are offering refunds even when the traveler has taken a non-refundable ticket,” Perambil noted.
This extra measure of flexibility is not uniform across all carriers, but reflects the extraordinary circumstances under which global aviation is currently operating.
What Travellers Should Keep in Mind
As the Middle East crisis continues into its second week, travellers from the UAE are advised to remain agile and informed. Here are the most important takeaways:
Airline-Initiated Cancellations:
- Entitled to full refund or free rescheduling.
- Supported by most airlines and travel agents.
- Standard airline cancellation policies apply.
- No insurance coverage in most cases.
- Does not typically cover war, unrest, or closed airspaces.
- Only high-end policies may offer exceptions.
- Travel to India and the Subcontinent remains normal.
- European routes see temporary delays, not permanent disruption.
- Booking through agents often ensures quicker, more direct support.
- Online platform users may struggle with long refund processes.
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