The Foreign Office has added a fresh disruption warning to its advice for 16 countries in and around the Middle East. British travellers should be ready for possible flight cancellations and sudden airspace closures. The latest FCDO Middle East travel advice appeared on country pages on Tuesday 27 October. For most destinations it asks travellers to prepare, rather than telling them to stay at home. Saudi Arabia is the main exception, and we explain it below.
Winter sun season is getting under way, and many of us fly via the Gulf to reach Asia and Australia. Here is a calm guide to what has changed and what to do next.
Which 16 countries are covered?
According to The Independent, the new wording now sits on the FCDO pages for:
- Egypt, Jordan and Turkey
- The UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait
- Saudi Arabia
- Israel and Palestine
- Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen
- Pakistan
Each country keeps its own separate advice. The regional note is added on top of it rather than replacing it.
What the FCDO Middle East travel advice says
The Foreign Office set out its concern in plain terms:
“The context in the Middle East remains deeply unpredictable and the risk of sudden escalation is high.”
It notes that Iran has said, since fighting started in early 2026, that it intends to target places linked to the US and Israel. Strikes and counter-attacks have hit both civilian and US military infrastructure across the region.
The practical message is simple. Anyone already in the region, or planning to pass through it, should expect that flights could be cancelled and airspace could close without much warning.
Crucially, the level of risk varies widely from country to country. Popular hubs such as the UAE, Qatar and Oman carry no blanket advice against visiting. Iraq, Syria and Yemen remain under advice against all travel, and Iran also has strict warnings in place.
Saudi Arabia is the notable exception among Gulf destinations. The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the whole country following a deadly attack on King Khalid airport in Riyadh. It suggests British nationals there consider leaving by land instead of flying out.
Egypt, Jordan and Turkey each have certain border areas or regions with stricter warnings. Check the detailed maps for where you are staying rather than relying on headlines.
Winter sun, Gulf stopovers and your flights
Late October marks the start of the busy winter season, when large numbers of UK holidaymakers head to the region in search of warm weather. The Gulf airports are also major stopover points for long-haul trips to Asia and Australasia.
In recent months, airspace over several countries has been fully or partly shut at times. These include Iran, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE. Airlines had to reroute or cancel services, and some flights between Europe and Asia took longer. The updated advice warns that similar restrictions could return at short notice.
If your journey connects through a Gulf or Turkish hub, build in extra time and keep a close eye on your airline’s app and emails. Cruise lines are also reviewing Red Sea sailings that call at ports in Egypt, Jordan or Saudi Arabia.
What to do now: a practical checklist
- Check the FCDO page for every country on your route, including stopovers, and look again in the days before you fly.
- Read your travel insurance wording. Many UK policies are tied to FCDO advice and may not pay out if you travel against all but essential advice. This matters most for anyone booked to Saudi Arabia.
- Stay in touch with your airline or tour operator, and make sure they have your current mobile number and email address.
- Keep documents up to date, with paper and digital copies of passports, visas and insurance details.
- Once you arrive, follow local authorities, stay away from military or security sites and keep your departure plans under review.
- If told to take shelter, stay indoors or head to the nearest safe building or designated shelter. Never approach or touch missile or drone debris.
If you feel uneasy, check your booking terms before cancelling. Unless the official advice itself changes, airlines and operators usually decide for themselves whether to offer free amendments.
If you have booked a package holiday, your tour operator is your first port of call if flights or hotels need to change.
Why it matters for UK travellers
For most holidaymakers heading to Egypt, Jordan, the UAE or Oman this winter, the update does not decide whether you can go. It decides how prepared you should be.
The FCDO keeps its assessments under constant review and can change them quickly. Checking the relevant pages in the days before you fly is the single most useful step you can take.
Planning a trip?
If the Red Sea or the Gulf is on your winter list, our travel specialists can talk you through flight routings and booking protection. Browse our Egypt holidays or explore holidays in the UAE.
FAQs
Has the Foreign Office told people not to travel to the Middle East?
No. The update adds a warning about possible disruption to 16 country pages, but it is not a blanket ban. Hubs such as the UAE, Qatar and Oman carry no blanket advice against visiting. Saudi Arabia is now under all but essential travel advice, while Iraq, Syria and Yemen remain under advice against all travel.
Is my travel insurance still valid for Dubai or Egypt?
Many UK policies follow FCDO guidance and may limit cover if you travel against all but essential or all travel warnings. The UAE carries no blanket advice against visiting. Parts of Egypt have stricter regional warnings, so check your exact destination against the FCDO map. Then read your policy wording or call your insurer.
What happens if my flight via the Gulf is cancelled?
The FCDO warns that airspace could close at short notice, as it has at times in recent months. Contact your airline or tour operator straight away and follow their instructions. Check your fare rules for change options and allow extra connection time.
