What does the Middle East conflict mean for UK travellers?
Here the PA news agency answers seven questions on the issue.
Qatar Airways confirms reinstatement of flights as airspace reopens in the State of Qatar.
Our focus at this time is to help our passengers return home or reach their onward journey safely and smoothly.
We've deployed extra ground staff at Hamad International Airport to support…
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) June 23, 2025
– How important is the region for air travel?
The Gulf region is one of the world's busiest flight corridors.
Airports in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi are a popular stopover point for many people embarking on long-haul flights between Europe and Asia or Australia.
– What is the status of airspace?
The region's usually busy skies are nearly empty of air traffic as a result of airspace closures and safety fears.
Qatar temporarily closed its airspace on Monday before expected strikes by Iran on a US military base near Doha.
Dubai airport in the United Arab Emirates also temporarily closed on Monday.
Israel's airspace has been shut since the conflict with Iran began earlier this month.
– Are flights being cancelled?
The temporary shutdown of Qatar airspace caused hundreds of Qatar Airways flights to be cancelled or diverted.
A British Airways flight from Heathrow to Dubai on Sunday turned around over Saudi Arabia and was diverted to Zurich, Switzerland, spending a total of nine hours in flight.
The airline's subsequent flights on the route were cancelled, before resuming on Monday night.
British Airways' Doha flights are suspended up to and including Wednesday.
On Monday, Air India announced it has 'ceased all operations' to the Middle East, Europe and the east coast of North America.
– What is the impact on flights that are still operating?
Airlines are re-routing flight paths either north, via the Caspian Sea, or south, over Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
This extends the time that planes are in the air, adding to flight times and fuel costs.
– What will happen if my flight is diverted?
Airlines will generally get passengers to their scheduled arrival airport, either by another flight or road transport.
– What is the advice to passengers?
Check with your airline.
Some carriers are giving passengers booked to fly in the coming days the option of changing their travel dates or receiving a refund.
– How about repatriation flights?
The first Britons evacuated from Israel landed at Birmingham airport in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
They were initially flown out of Israel on a Royal Air Force flight from Tel Aviv to Cyprus on Monday.
The cost per passenger was £350.
A second flight from Tel Aviv to Cyprus is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
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