Middle East Conflict: What Travellers Need to Know

Recent developments in the Middle East are having a noticeable impact on global travel. What began as a regional conflict has quickly led to wider disruption, affecting flight routes, travel costs, and how travellers approach travel insurance.

In this blog, we explain the Middle East conflict as it stands at the time of writing, how it is affecting travel plans, and what it means for your travel insurance—especially if you are travelling to or through higher-risk areas.

What Is the Middle East Conflict About?

The current conflict escalated on 28 February 2026, when the United States and Israel carried out joint strikes on Iran. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting locations across the region.

These attacks have affected several countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Reported targets have included airports, oil facilities, and major infrastructure.

As a result, the situation has become increasingly unpredictable. The UK government, through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), has updated its travel advice for several destinations in the region. In many cases, this now advises against “All But Essential Travel”—or against “All Travel” entirely.

This change in travel advice has significant implications for both travellers and travel insurance cover.

How the Middle East Conflict Is Disrupting Flights

One of the most immediate impacts of the conflict in the Middle East is flight disruption. Airspace restrictions across parts of the region mean airlines are unable to operate normal routes and must avoid certain areas for safety reasons.

As a result, flight cancellations in the Middle East have increased, and many airlines have suspended or adjusted services due to ongoing uncertainty. As of 18 March 2026, tens of thousands of flights have been affected globally.

Key travel impacts include:

• Middle East flights cancelled or delayed, particularly across key transit routes
• Longer journey times, as flights are rerouted to avoid restricted airspace
• Reduced availability of flights, especially on long-haul routes
• Disruption to connecting journeys, even if your destination is not in the Middle East

For travellers heading to higher-risk destinations or travelling long-haul, this is particularly important. Many of these journeys rely on connections through major Gulf hubs. As a result, flight disruptions in the Middle East can affect your entire trip, even if your final destination is elsewhere.

Are Flight Prices Increasing?

Flight disruption is not the only impact. Another consequence of the conflict in the Middle East is rising travel costs.

Jet fuel prices have increased sharply—from around $85–$90 per barrel before the conflict to between $150 and $200 per barrel, as of 6 March 2026. This has placed pressure on airlines, many of which are already adjusting their pricing.

What this means for travellers:

• Higher overall ticket costs over time
• Increased charges for extras like baggage, seat selection, and upgrades
• Potential price fluctuations depending on route changes and demand

Even if base fares remain stable initially, the total cost of travelling may increase once additional fees are added.

What Should Travellers Do?

If you are planning a trip or already have one booked, there are a few practical steps you can take:

1. Contact Your Airline First

If your flight is cancelled or delayed, your airline or travel provider is usually responsible for offering alternative travel arrangements or refunds.

2. Check FCDO Travel Advice

Always review the latest FCDO advice for your destination and any stopover locations. This is especially important as the situation continues to change.

3. Consider Your Route Carefully

When booking long-haul travel, it is no longer just about price or duration. Consider:

• Where your connection is
• Whether alternative routes are available
• How flexible your ticket is if plans change

Staying informed can help you make more confident decisions and avoid unnecessary disruption.

What Does This Mean for Standard Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is one of the most important things to consider when travelling during uncertain times.

Most standard travel insurance policies include exclusions for war and armed conflict. In addition, cover is usually invalid if you travel to a destination where the FCDO advises against travel.

What this means for travellers:

• If you travel to a destination with FCDO warnings, your cover may be invalid
• If the situation was already known when you bought your policy, claims linked to the conflict are unlikely to be covered (this is often referred to as a “known event”)
• Some policies offer optional cover for changes in FCDO advice, but this typically will not apply to events that are already known

So, if you are travelling to countries affected by FCDO advice, you may find that standard travel insurance does not provide the level of cover you expect.

Can You Get Travel Insurance for Countries Against FCDO Advice?

Yes—but this usually requires specialist travel insurance.

If you have a specific reason to travel to a high-risk destination, you will need high risk travel insurance against FCDO advice, designed to provide cover where standard policies may not apply.

High Risk Voyager is designed specifically for travellers visiting destinations that may be considered higher risk, including those where FCDO advice is in place.

How travel insurance against FCDO advice works:

• Each case is assessed individually
• Destinations such as the UAE (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and Yemen may be considered
• You will need to contact High Risk Voyager team directly to discuss your travel plans either by Phone: +44 (0)1483 806 686 or Email: enquiries@voyagerins.com

This approach ensures that you get appropriate FCDO travel insurance that reflects the specific risks of your trip.

Final Thoughts

The Middle East conflict is a reminder of how quickly global travel conditions can change. From flight disruptions to rising costs and insurance limitations, the effects go far beyond the region itself.

For travellers wanting the middle east conflict explained clearly, this blog outlines the key developments and highlights what they mean for your journey. Understanding the situation can help you make informed decisions about routes, connections, and the precautions you may need to take.

If you are travelling now—or planning a trip in the near future—it is especially important to:

• Stay up to date with official travel advice
• Understand your airline’s policies
• Check exactly what your travel insurance does and does not cover, particularly when arranging travel insurance for the Middle East

Travelling to a High-risk Destination?

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This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute advice in any way. The information provided here is correct at the time of writing, however, please check the latest policy wording for the latest terms, conditions, and exclusions.