Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[Pushka]

Could someone help with likely Flight plan DPS to IST and then IST to CDG. Assuming the latter is not problematic. On TK obviously.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Could someone help with likely Flight plan DPS to IST and then IST to CDG. Assuming the latter is not problematic. On TK obviously.

TK is operating fairly normally aside from flights to directly affected cities and adjusting for some changes to routing increasing flight times for some others.

Might explain why seats ex-SYD to Europe via IST were upwards of $7K in Y later this month!

 

[Pushka]

TK is operating fairly normally aside from flights to directly affected cities and adjusting for some changes to routing increasing flight times for some others.

Might explain why seats ex-SYD to Europe via IST were upwards of $7K in Y later this month!

Thankyou. Not until June so

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Do you know from? and to?

UK/EU to QR destinations.

Actually, their rebooking policy suggest rerouting from other ports as well, on specified airlines: https://www.qatarairways.com/tradep.../Passenger-Guidelines-Security-Situation.html


That includes cathay for example.

 

[Simsy85]

Rerouted to what?
My reading of this thread refer only to full refund, travel credit or booking changes - meaning changing travel dates.

Rerouting to get you to your destination - booking change is usually covered in this.

Ex EU/UK, ‘yes’ (rerouting is happening). Ex AU and other parts of the world… options are for refund or change dates.

Yep, because they have to under the EU laws

 

[Growing Older]

UK/EU to QR destinations.

Actually, their rebooking policy suggest rerouting from other ports as well, on specified airlines: https://www.qatarairways.com/tradep.../Passenger-Guidelines-Security-Situation.html


That includes cathay for example.

Jumped the gun on QF... not a Tier 1 option but still possible as Option 2, Tier 2 due to the interline agreement

 

[elanshin]

Speaking of airlines and risk apetite. I think VS is going to be another airline people will need to re-evaluate. They decided to "Go back to Dubai" and that it's fine - only for their flight to reach Saudi airspace, not be able to get to DXB, turn around to Budapest for fuel then head back home. Subsequently they've now suspended all operations to Dubai again. Not sure what they were thinking....

16 Hours To Nowhere: Virgin Atlantic Suspends Middle East Routes After Dramatic Dubai U-Turn

Virgin Atlantic's sudden U-turn and diversion to Eastern Europe sparks concerns over Middle East safety.

simpleflying.com

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But not QF!View attachment 499972

But doesn’t need to be? You could fly Australia to Europe on Cathay and Finnair under the provisions.

Although it does claim to only apply to 157 (.QR stock).

Ex EU/UK of course those restrictions don’t apply… can be any stock and any airline.

 

[Growing Older]

But doesn’t need to be? You could fly Australia to Europe on Cathay and Finnair under the provisions.

Although it does claim to only apply to 157 (.QR stock).

Ex EU/UK of course those restrictions don’t apply… can be any stock and any airline.

Agreed.

I'm ex-FCO with QR on 157 stock, so just thinking ahead about the possibilities.

In the event that Qatari airspace remains restricted, CX remains the easiest option for me: FCO-xHKG-AU east coast.

I had secretly entertained a QF possibility directly into PER, either ex-CDG or ex-LHR (as no FCO directs in April), again avoiding the Caspian Sea corridor.

Great to know my options though, so thanks very much for the posted links to all the possibilities.

 

[RooFlyer]

Could someone help with likely Flight plan DPS to IST and then IST to CDG. Assuming the latter is not problematic. On TK obviously.

My TA booked me SIN-IST-MAD then MXP-IST-SIN for 1 April, last week (back-up plan) no drama, but availability was closing (ie more expensive seats); if you are June will be OK, but I wouldn't leave it too long.

Current TK flights

 

[MarthaWolf]

I have shuffled to fly MEL-SIN with SQ then SIN-LHR via HAK with HU in J in a few weeks (hopefully) and same in reverse on way back. - anyone had experience with Hainan?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have shuffled to fly MEL-SIN then SIN-LHR via HAK with HU in J in a few weeks (hopefully) and same in reverse on way back. - anyone had experience with Hainan?

I think there’s one for regional Asia flights? In the main threads. Otherwise, google is a good starting place… just type Hainan airpines business class trip report HAK-LHR’ or similar.

 

[Pushka]

My TA booked me SIN-IST-MAD then MXP-IST-SIN for 1 April, last week (back-up plan) no drama, but availability was closing (ie more expensive seats); if you are June will be OK, but I wouldn't leave it too long.

Current TK flights

View attachment 499984

Already booked for a great price a few months ago. $7k for two in Business return. And also booked TK for son at Christmas. Was just wondering if even TK was currently problematic.

 

[AIRwin]

I have shuffled to fly MEL-SIN with SQ then SIN-LHR via HAK with HU in J in a few weeks (hopefully) and same in reverse on way back. - anyone had experience with Hainan?

@siri Hainan Mel LHR in J $4.7K

 

[AuSammy]

Smart traveller

Travel advice update​

United Arab Emirates​

10:46 pm - 8 March 2026

The Australian Government has directed the departure of all dependants of Australian officials posted to the UAE in response to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.

Due to the volatile security situation in the region and military strikes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we’ve raised our level of advice for the UAE to do not travel. The UAE airspace may open or close at short notice, impacting flights at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports. Retaliatory strikes are occurring across the Middle East region following military strikes on Iran. Military conflict in the region may result in widespread movement restrictions, and other travel disruptions.

Prioritise your safety, monitor events and follow local advice, including instructions to shelter in place during strikes. Be aware of your environment and avoid government, military or energy infrastructure, including oil production facilities and US diplomatic locations. Monitor local warning systems and if warned of an imminent attack, move to an enclosed hardened shelter, ideally underground or close to ground level if available. If these are not available, seek an inner room without windows.

Terrorism is a threat, including in the UAE. Terrorist attacks could happen at any time or anywhere. Avoid possible targets including venues that draw in foreigners, tourists or crowds where possible. Maintain a high level of security awareness. If there's a security incident, follow the advice of local authorities (see 'Safety').

Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members in the UAE can register on DFAT's registration portal to receive direct updates from DFAT. See 'Safety' for the link to register. Keep your registration details up to date so we can contact you with important information.

Consider a commercial option to depart if you can secure one and it's safe to travel to the departure point. You should consider recent attacks in your area and that airports and aircraft are more vulnerable to these strikes. You should verify the status of any border crossing before you travel by air, land or sea. Make sure you have access to food, water and essential medicines.

US Embassies in the Middle East are issuing local security alerts. We encourage you to monitor US security alerts in your location and follow this advice.

Demonstrations and protest activity may also occur, and local security situations could deteriorate with little notice. Australian officials are sheltering in place during strikes.

Having trouble getting in touch? See ‘Local contacts’ for phone and email contacts for our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate-General in Dubai, and follow them on social media. Due to military action, there was a temporary loss of services for mobile networks in the UAE and other destinations in the region. Phone lines for affected Embassies and Consulates are being diverted to the Australian Government's Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra.

 

[jbman]

I can’t seem to find this in the thread - but has anyone successfully had their fare rerouted when they’ve been on VA/QR booking?

Wondering the same about the VA/QR flights from the past few days I haven’t seen anything about what has actually happened to those passengers on the cancelled flights leaving Australia.

Keeping an eye out for any actual VA/QR passengers from the last few days and how they were helped as someone I know is due to fly with them end of the month from Australia to the EU.

 

[Simsy85]

Agree - lots of opinions but would like to hear.

 

[VPS]

Just an FYI

Some travel insurance may cover cancellation costs if you cancel travel because of a Do Not Travel advisory imposed by DFAT after you bought the policy (even if it is lifted again before the date you were going to travel).

This may be overruled by the war clause though

 

[MarthaWolf]

@siri Hainan Mel LHR in J $4.7K

Thank you - have looked at that and other online reviews but wondering about the long haul/flatbed experience. Will be long trip up and over, need to !

 

[Seat0B]

I can’t seem to find this in the thread - but has anyone successfully had their fare rerouted when they’ve been on VA/QR booking?

Our daughter has seats on VA (QR) from CBR -CPT via DOH. VA are only offering them a different date (same route) or a refund. They are taking the refund and we have rebooked on QF. This cost ~&5,000 more than the VA(QR) flights they had booked (2 adults and 1 child). But they needed to travel as our son, her brother who lives in the UAE is getting married in South Africa.

So no, VA is not offering re-routing or booking on another airline at the moment.

See screenshots of their policy in my post #1252 upthread.

Edit to add date of flights is 21 March.