Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[Pushka]

exDIL parents were due to fly back to the UK on Sunday where they live. He's a little worried about length of stay and disability insurances because of some kind of clause in the policy. They've been on his big 70th birthday trip. Flying with QR.

 

[Saab34]

Abu Dhabi is covering the costs for any extended stays past check out for guests. Top Notch!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

exDIL parents were due to fly back to the UK on Sunday where they live. He's a little worried about length of stay and disability insurances because of some kind of clause in the policy. They've been on his big 70th birthday trip. Flying with QR.

Most policies will auto extend (increase the number of days covered) in the event of travel disruption… might be worth having another look at the policy.

 

[Pushka]

Abu Dhabi is covering the costs for any extended stays past check out for guests. Top Notch!

Yes, UAE have really stepped up.

Most policies will auto extend (increase the number of days covered) in the event of travel disruption… might be worth having another look at the policy.

This is his Disability Insurance as he was badly injured at work (Police) about thirty years ago and there's some kind of clause that he can't be out of the country for more than x days. And they've been away for weeks now.

 

[elanshin]

UAE has instructed hotels to extend their stay for stranded guests and the government will cover the cost.

Hopefully nothing too serious. I hear that Fairmont Dubai was hit and on fire for a while.

 

[JessicaTam]

So when will the Melbourne FI get cancelled....

The equipment is already in MEL along with most of the team personnel. The Bahrain tyre testing was not done with the current race cars. It will only be the teams that still have people in EU that have yet to travel south.

Please continue discussion in the F1 thread to keep this one on topic. 2026 F1 Thread

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, UAE have really stepped up.

This is his Disability Insurance as he was badly injured at work (Police) about thirty years ago and there's some kind of clause that he can't be out of the country for more than x days. And they've been away for weeks now.

Then that could be an issue But there might also be an ‘events beyond your control’ clause?

I was also wondering how the general exclusion for ‘war’ comes in to play. Whether or not, for example, that excludes policies being extended.

Tricky issue.

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
This is a difficult time with friends and family affected, flights disrupted, and ongoing uncertainty.

Please remember to be civil to each other.

Also avoid any commentary that may be considered political, as the mod team will take a zero-tolerance approach.
[/mod hat]

[mod hat]
It seems some people are slow to learn. This is causing the mod team significant effort to keep this thread on topic.

Should it continue offenders may find they have a short holiday from AFF..
[/mod hat]

 

[markis10]

Hopefully nothing too serious. I hear that Fairmont Dubai was hit and on fire for a while.

As was the Burj Al Arab

 

[MELso]

Qantas waiver extended to flights up to 20 March: https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/agency-news/march-2026/airspace-closure.html

 

[AuSammy]

As was the Burj Al Arab

@elanshin is correct. The Fairmont was hit as well

 

[JessicaTam]

Qantas waiver extended to flights up to 20 March: https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/agency-news/march-2026/airspace-closure.html

They are being particularly cautious working on three weeks away.

I guess my BA flights to and from LHR over the next few weeks will be chockers.

 

[markis10]

@elanshin is correct. The Fairmont was hit as well

No argument there, “as was” means I was saying the Burj was also hit

 

[MEL_Traveller]

They are being particularly cautious working on three weeks away.

I guess my BA flights to and from LHR over the next few weeks will be chockers.

Two fold benefit here… good for pax wanting to change plans, but… even if the situation has eased, the waiver frees up seats which can be sold at last-minute full fares.

 

[markis10]

$999 seems popular for Wednesday night city hotels- yikes

 

[lovestotravel]

They are being particularly cautious working on three weeks away.

I guess my BA flights to and from LHR over the next few weeks will be chockers.

SQ is sold out to the EU/UK for about a week in all classes from SIN !

 

[Quickstatus]

An important question here is why the airlines aren’t booking passengers on flights operated by other airlines particularly if their final destination is not the Middle East.

MstrQS2 said his SQ flight from SYD-SIN and SIN-LHR was completely full.
I suspect when A380s are not operational it is difficult /impossible to find seats on other airlines

 

[liamg]

Qantas waiver extended to flights up to 20 March: https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/agency-news/march-2026/airspace-closure.html

I currently have a Qantas booked ticket flying 18 Mar QF127 SYD-HKG, 23 Mar EK381 HKG-DXB, 30 Mar QF8416 DXB-SYD. If the policy extended to 20 Mar, does that mean I'm now eligible for a cancellation/refund for all three sectors? Or none, because the HKG-DXB isn't until 23 Mar?

And: What is the likelihood this will be 'revoked'? For example, Qantas decides on 10 Mar that they will revise the policy and it will only apply for flights until 15 Mar?

Thanks.

 

[MELso]

Waiver now pulled back to 5 March. https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/agency-news/march-2026/airspace-closure.html

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I currently have a Qantas booked ticket flying 18 Mar QF127 SYD-HKG, 23 Mar EK381 HKG-DXB, 30 Mar QF8416 DXB-SYD. If the policy extended to 20 Mar, does that mean I'm now eligible for a cancellation/refund for all three sectors? Or none, because the HKG-DXB isn't until 23 Mar?

And: What is the likelihood this will be 'revoked'? For example, Qantas decides on 10 Mar that they will revise the policy and it will only apply for flights until 15 Mar?

Thanks.


I currently have a Qantas booked ticket flying 18 Mar QF127 SYD-HKG, 23 Mar EK381 HKG-DXB, 30 Mar QF8416 DXB-SYD. If the policy extended to 20 Mar, does that mean I'm now eligible for a cancellation/refund for all three sectors? Or none, because the HKG-DXB isn't until 23 Mar?

And: What is the likelihood this will be 'revoked'? For example, Qantas decides on 10 Mar that they will revise the policy and it will only apply for flights until 15 Mar?

Thanks.

It is your scheduled departure date for the first flight. Otherwise, for example, the waiver wouldn’t be able to be used by pax holding return tickets.

as for part two… we already have the answer! (rolled back, although 20th was possibly an error)