US strikes on Iran over the weekend have intensified the situation in the Middle East. With travel conditions constantly changing, we’ll keep you updated with the latest developments impacting Australians travelling to, from and through the Middle East – including airline responses and government advisories. Check back here for live updates as the situation unfolds.
What’s DFAT saying?
After updating its travel advice for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued new travel alerts for every country in the Middle East on Monday (23 June).
While the overall advice level hasn’t changed for any country since last week, DFAT has warned Australian travellers of potential disruptions, even for countries not directly impacted by the latest hostilities.
“Conflicts in the Middle East could result in an increase in tensions elsewhere in the region and may result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions,” it states.
“The security situation in the Middle East is unpredictable and could deteriorate further with little warning. There is a risk of reprisal attacks and further escalation across the region, as well as the potential for terrorist attacks.”
It also warned that the conflict could be felt around the world, with travel disruptions possible “globally”.
“Conflict in the Middle East could impact safety and security elsewhere,” it says.
“Protests and civil unrest may happen globally. The risk of terrorist attacks can increase, particularly around areas where foreign tourists gather, embassies and other foreign interests.
“Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.”
It also warned of the difficulties travellers could face when trying to leave if the conflict escalates.
According to DFAT, Australians can leave Iran via border crossings into Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Armenia and Turkmenistan.
However, it continues to advise “Do Not Travel to Afghanistan, Iraq or the regions of Pakistan that border Iran”.
Aussies can exit Israel using crossings into Jordan and Egypt.
In addition, it urges Australians in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Iran to register with the department at crisis.dfat.gov.au for direct updates.
It also has the following general advice for travellers:
- Contact your airline to confirm your flights.
- Check your travel insurance’s policy on flight cancellations and travel advice level increases.
- Research where you’re going before you book. Read the travel advice for your destination and subscribe for free updates.
- Check the advice level and understand what our advice levels mean.
- Decide if you feel safe travelling to your planned destination.
- Be aware of current affairs where you’re going.
- Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places or mass gatherings.
- Report anything suspicious to the police.
- Monitor the local and international news for any new threats.
- Take official warnings seriously.
- Decide if you feel safe travelling to your planned destination.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities.
Don’t panic, says ATIA
23 June 2024
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is urging Australians to stay calm amid the unfolding Middle East conflict and avoid contacting travel agents or airlines unless travelling within the next three days. It says that unnecessary cancellations may reduce refund or rebooking entitlements.
In addition, the association warns Aussie travellers to expect delays and to follow official travel advice.
“Australians flying to Europe via the Middle East should be prepared for some delays, but it’s important to know that global airlines have systems in place to manage these disruptions,” ATIA CEO Dean Longs says.
“The closure of airspace is not new. Airlines have been rerouting around Russia and Ukraine for more than two years, and are now adjusting again. The airlines that fly to Australia have world-leading safety protocols and route management.
“Travellers shouldn’t panic or cancel unnecessarily. The one thing we learned through COVID is don’t cancel, as it reduces the number of rights you have. Let the airline make that decision. This approach ensures your rights are protected and you get the support you need.”
“In volatile situations like this, having an ATIA Accredited Travel Business on your side makes all the difference. They have direct access to airline systems, understand the complexities of changing travel conditions, and will advocate on your behalf to rebook disrupted flights or secure refunds. It means you’re not navigating delays, diversions or cancellations alone.”
Aussies ask for aid
23 June 2025
In an update Monday morning, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said that around 4,200 Australians have formally asked the federal government for assistance to leave Iran and Israel, with about 2,900 people in Iran and some 1,300 people in Israel.
Wong added that the “serious” and “fluid” situation makes it hard to evacuate Australians, the ABC reports. The minister also said that a flight from Israel is planned if airspace opens.
According to Reuters, Israeli national airline El Al said on Sunday that around 25,000 people had applied to leave Israel in a day.
Approximately, 40,000 tourists in the country looking to flee, with many leaving via Jordan, Egypt and Cyprus.
El Al planned to resume flights from Tel Aviv on Monday as part of limited “rescue” flights.
Air travel update
23 June 2025
With airspace and airports impacted by the Middle East conflict, carriers continue to cancel, reschedule and reroute flights in the region.
Qatar Airways, one of the biggest carriers between Australia and the Middle East (and onwards), said the latest developments would “require some schedule changes to strengthen the connectivity in Doha”.
“We have deep experience and operational know-how when it comes to situations like this, demonstrated clearly when we remained one of the few global airlines flying throughout the COVID-19 crisis,” it said in a statement.
“We are continuously monitoring and assessing the situation, and reacting in real-time to ensure we operate under the safest conditions possible at all times.
UAE-based carrier, Etihad stated that it had suspended all flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv until and including 15 July.
“Guests transiting through Abu Dhabi to connect to cancelled flights will not be accepted for travel from their point of origin. Impacted guests are being assisted with alternative travel arrangements,” it said in a statement.
“This remains a highly dynamic situation, and further changes or disruption, including sudden airspace closures or operational impact, may occur at short notice. Etihad continues to monitor developments closely in coordination with the relevant authorities and is taking all necessary precautions.
“The safety of our guests and crew remains our highest priority, and we regret any inconvenience caused.”
Karryon has reached out to Emirates, another major airline connecting Australia with the world through its Dubai hub, for comment.
Meanwhile, Qantas said “there are no material changes to Qantas flights to between Australia and Europe”.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely. We have a number of flight path options that we utilise for our flights to Europe and these are reviewed regularly based on factors including weather and security,” it added.
“We proactively alter our flight paths if needed based on changes in these conditions.”
Elsewhere, many global airlines are now avoiding airports beyond the Levant region of the Middle East, with major ports in the Persian Gulf region also now seeing significant impacts.
British Airways, Singapore Airlines and Air France said on Sunday they had cancelled flights to Dubai, Doha and Riyadh, Arab News reported.
In the lead-up to the US strikes on Iran, American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar, and United halted services to Dubai.
According to Reuters, website Safe Airspace stated that the US attacks could increase risks to American airlines in the region.
“While there have been no specific threats made against civil aviation, Iran has previously warned it would retaliate by attacking U.S. military interests in the Middle East – either directly or via proxies such as Hezbollah,” Safe Airspace said.
Turkish changes
21 June 2025
Turkish Airlines has issued a travel update in response to the ongoing situation in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.
The airline is offering added flexibility for affected passengers with tickets issued on or before 13 June 2025 for travel between 13 June and 31 July 2025.
Travellers can rebook or extend their travel dates until 31 August 2025, with all changes or refund requests needing to be processed by 31 July 2025.
For interline tickets where Turkish Airlines is the marketing carrier, standard fare rules apply for rebooking and rerouting.
Full refunds are available for unused tickets if processed by 31 July, while partially used tickets will be refunded for the unused portion under involuntary refund terms.
Turkey’s national carrier flies from Melbourne and Sydney to Istanbul via Kuala Lumpur.
DFAT raises travel alert level for popular stopover for Australians
19 June 2025
The Australian Government has raised its travel alert level for a popular stopover destination as the ripple effects of two bloody conflicts in the Middle East continue to be felt.
In response to a rise in the intensity of hostilities between Israel and Iran and Hamas (Gaza), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has upped its travel advice for Gulf nation Qatar to “Exercise a high degree of caution due to ongoing hostilities in the region”.
Previously, the government advised Aussies to “Exercise normal safety precautions” in Qatar.
“We advise exercise a high degree of caution due to ongoing hostilities in the region,” DFAT states on the Smartraveller website in its latest travel alert for Qatar.
“Conflicts in the Middle East could result in an increase in tensions elsewhere in the region and may result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions.”
“There’s an ongoing threat of attacks against Israeli interests across the region.”
Read this full story here.
DFAT updates Middle East travel advice as Israel-Iran conflict wages on; airlines cancel, reroute flights
16 June 2025
As Iran and Israel continue to fire missiles at each other, the Australian Government has upgraded its travel advice for Aussies considering heading to the region.
Previously, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) had warned Australians against any travel to parts of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories – including Gaza and neighbouring areas, regions bordering with Lebanon and the West Bank.
However, with the latest attacks, DFAT has widened its highest travel advice level (‘Do not travel’) to the entire country, making the whole region – including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran – a no-go zone.
“Due to the deteriorating security situation, we advise, do not travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism,” it states on its Smartraveller website.
“Following military strikes in Iran, there are military and rocket attacks against Israel. Israel has declared a national state of emergency.”
“In an attack or other armed conflict, you should take shelter, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media and public safety information updates through the National Emergency Portal.”
On top of missile strikes, the department warns that “terror attacks can occur anywhere at any time, including by lone actors”.
The department also issued updated travel advice for the entire Middle East and Gulf region on Friday.
Read this full story here.
Air travel update
16 June 2025
Airlines continue to suspend, cancel or reroute flights in the region as airports and airspace close. Israel’s main hub, Ben Gurion Airport, states that all flights to and from the gateway are “cancelled until further notice” due to the “current special security situation”.
DFAT says that, “flight cancellations and disruptions could continue with little or no notice, including due to airport and airspace closures”.
“Check with your airline for the latest updates before travelling. If you’re in Israel, you should depart when it’s safe to do so,” it states.
According to state media, Iranian and Iraqi airspace have been closed until further notice, including a busy air corridor linking Europe with the Gulf and Asia. Meanwhile, Jordan has also “temporarily” closed its airspace to all flights, Al Jazeera reported.
Read this full story here.
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