Australians planning a European summer holiday are being urged to brace for significant travel disruptions, as escalating conflict near one of the world's busiest aviation hubs risks leaving travellers stranded for days. The warning follows the United Arab Emirates restricting parts of its airspace after fresh drone strikes near Dubai, prompting widespread flight diversions and cancellations through a crucial gateway linking Australia and Europe.
Flight Chaos at Dubai Airport
Thousands of flights through Dubai have already been affected, with several major international airlines suspending or rerouting services. Travel expert James Wilkinson said the disruptions are unlikely to resolve quickly, warning that the ripple effects across global aviation networks could persist well beyond this week.
“We know how long it takes to get the flights back on, right? Even Qatar aren’t back to full capacity. Only a couple of days ago, they just allowed Emirates to go back to full capacity,” Wilkinson said.
Speaking to Sunrise on Thursday, Wilkinson urged Australians with upcoming overseas trips to start preparing contingency plans immediately.
“If you’ve got a flight coming up in the next few days, I’d be watching it. I’d probably have a back-up plan. I’d probably go and get another airfare on a flexible ticket if you can,” he said.
Expert Advises Avoiding UAE Airspace
Fresh drone strikes near Dubai have forced widespread flight diversions and cancellations through a key gateway between Australia and Europe. Wilkinson, who has travelled extensively through Europe in recent weeks, said he had personally been avoiding routes through the UAE amid the instability.
“For me, I wouldn’t be going through the UAE just for the next few days or next few weeks until there’s a peace plan fully signed, because it’s just disruptions,” he said. “If they start turning flights around or cancelling them, you’ve got to try and get on another one. You could be stuck for days.”
Peak Travel Season Impact
The warning comes as many Australians prepare to head overseas for the peak northern hemisphere summer travel period, with demand across Europe and Asia remaining extremely strong. Despite the ongoing instability, Wilkinson said airports across Europe, Japan and Australia were still packed with travellers.
For Australians trying to avoid the Middle East, Wilkinson said alternative routes through Asia and China remained available, although prices had surged as demand increased.
Tips for Travellers
He also advised travellers to prioritise flexible airfares and refundable bookings where possible. “If you’re a bit worried about it, I’d be getting a flexible ticket with a full refund just in case,” he said.
Wilkinson noted some booking platforms, including Expedia, currently offer 24-hour cancellation windows with full refunds for travellers concerned about changing conditions.
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