British holidaymakers are facing uncertain travel plans as flights have been cancelled across the Middle East.
Routes to Dubai, Israel, Doha, Abu Dhabi and other travel hubs in the region have been suspended.
The UK Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to areas including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
Any Brits already in the countries have been urged to ‘immediately shelter in place’.
But, what is the situation for holidaymakers hoping to go away to other Middle Eastern destinations like Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt?
Smoke rises from Dubai International Airport on Sunday morning as Emirates planes remain grounded
What has happened?
The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday morning. The two countries described the move as a ‘pre-emptive’ attack aimed at halting Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Retaliatory strikes from Tehran have since hit tourist and expat hotspots including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Kuwait.
As a result, flights from major hubs in the area have been cancelled and thousands of Brits have been left stranded who were in the region for work or holidays.
British expats are now being urged to register their presence in the region with the Foreign Office online, with a record 94,000 signing on to the service already – mostly in the UAE.
What is the latest government travel advice?
The UK government is currently advising against all travel to Iran and Israel.
It has also updated its guidance on Brits travelling to countries in the Middle East including Iraq, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.
For holidaymakers hoping to head to Turkey, the Foreign Office currently states, ‘FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.’
Updated entry advice reads, ‘The border remains open visa-free for people travelling on UK or Iranian passports (for stays of up to 90 days).
‘If you are a British national intending to cross the land border from Iran into Turkey, you must request facilitation from the British Embassy in Ankara before travelling to the border.
‘You must state which border point you intend to use and provide personal details (name, date of birth, details of travel document used to enter Turkey). Also indicate whether you are contacting from Iran or from the UK on behalf of a relative.’
The UK government also advises against all travel to parts of Egypt, including North Sinai Governorate and within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum where it urges all but essential travel.
All but essential travel has also been advised for the northern part of the South Sinai Governorate, Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, as well as Ismailiyah Governorate, east of the Suez Canal.
Varying advice is in place within the regions and surrounding areas, check the FCDO website for further details.
The following advice has been updated for Cyprus, ‘On 2 March 2026, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri.
‘British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration
‘British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities.’
Has there been an attack in Cyprus?
A Royal Air Force base in Cyprus has been hit by an Iranian drone with the Ministry of Defence evacuating families living on the site.
Strong blasts were heard at the British RAF Akrotiri base in Limassol at around midnight local time after a ‘security threat’ was declared.
The MoD on Monday announced that family members of British servicemen were evacuated from the site in the wake of the strike ‘as a precautionary measure’.
It added there was minimal damage to the base after the drone attack last night and that operations were continuing as normal.
Holidaymakers heading to destinations like Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt may face disruptions to their plans
I am worried and would like to cancel my trip. Will I be able to get a refund?
For areas where the FCDO advises against travel, the foreign office warns not following the advice could invalidate your insurance.
It explains, ‘Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).’
Holidaymakers already in affected areas are advised to contact their insurance provider.
If you no longer wish to travel, the UK Civil Aviation Authority explains that if your flight is under UK passenger rights legislation and has been cancelled as a result of the current situation, you may be able to receive a refund.
The authority states, ‘If you chose this option you will need to confirm this with your airline. The airline should provide you with a refund within 7 days.’
