Arabic version: أستراليون يراجعون خطط السفر إلى الشرق الأوسط
According to ABC News, Australian government travel advice for parts of the Middle East has been raised as conflict between the United States and Iran escalates again, prompting travellers to consider possible disruption to flights and transit routes.
Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia have been added to the Level 3 list, where Australians are advised to reconsider the need to travel. They join the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen remain Level 4 destinations, with advice to not travel.
Smartraveller says the regional situation remains unpredictable, citing recent military strikes and reprisal attacks and the risk of further escalation. For Level 3 destinations, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises people who need to transit to keep their stay as short as possible and avoid unnecessary activities. It warns that airspace, flights and borders can change or close at short notice.
Chris Turley and his family are scheduled to transit through Abu Dhabi for about 90 minutes on August 18 while travelling from Adelaide to Ireland and the United Kingdom. They will also stop in Abu Dhabi on their return in October. Turley said the family was taking the situation day by day and was concerned their flights could be cancelled.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has advised air operators to avoid Gulf airspace until at least July 29. The Australian Travel Industry Association said its members had not reported a decline in bookings following the renewed escalation, with chief executive Dean Long saying travel through major Middle East hubs had recovered from the initial disruption earlier in the year.
Sally O’Brien, from Benalla in regional Victoria, changed an August trip to Egypt and Jordan in March, rerouting the European part of her holiday through Hong Kong instead of Qatar. She said the decision cost several hundred dollars but reduced the stress of monitoring developments before travelling.
