Holidaymakers may again be feeling a sense of uncertainty over travel to the Middle East after the US launched a new wave of strikes on Iran.
US president Donald Trump said this week that the ceasefire was “over” and that talks were a “waste of time”.
The US military said it had struck dozens of sites across Iran in a second blistering night of attacks, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain.
Despite the new escalation, the UK’s Foreign Office has not changed its new advice for travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), published on 18 June, which removed the “all but essential travel” advisory.
The country, popular among tourists for its ultra-modern cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, was subject to travel advisories for months following the outbreak of war between Iran and the US.
On Thursday, 18 June, the UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) announced that this advisory was lifted, meaning that people can travel to the UAE without having their travel insurance invalidated. This has not changed despite the recent escalation in the region.
Here’s the latest travel advice for the UAE, plus all the key questions and answers.
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Is it safe to travel to the UAE?
The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to the UAE, but warns that “the situation remains unpredictable and attacks could resume at short notice”. This still stands as of Thursday, 9 July.
What is the government’s advice?
The FCDO is still displaying advice for people should any hostilities resume.
It says that British nationals should read its crisis abroad document, follow advice from local authorities and sign up to FCDO travel advice email alerts.
It also advises that if conflict resumes, to stay away from areas around security or military facilities, keep departure plans and travel documents up to date and stay indoors if they are advised to take shelter.
“Before the 8 April ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations in the Gulf associated with the US and Israel,” the FCDO added.
“This included US-linked organisations, businesses, facilities and institutions. Iran has previously targeted civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports.”
Are flights going to Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Commercial flights to the UK from the UAE have resumed.
Under air passengers’ rights rules, travellers are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible on any airline that has seats available.
Will it be easier to book a holiday to the UAE now?
As the FCDO no longer warns against non-essential travel to the UAE, your travel insurance is likely to be valid if you now decide to book a trip. Your travel insurance is at risk of being invalidated if you travel against advice from FCDO. However, it is important to check individual policies.
Package holidays are likely to start operating as usual. There are currently no grounds for travellers to expect a refund if they cancel, nor to claim the money back through travel insurance.
If FCDO advice changes to advising against all travel, you can cancel a package holiday without penalty for a full refund.
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