Iran-Israel conflict: Don’t cancel or change flights, travel agents urge travellers

Dubai: Travel agencies in the UAE are advising customers to refrain from cancelling their tickets or making changes to their bookings amid continued airspace closures in parts of the region and rapidly evolving developments.

They confirmed that airlines are responsible for rescheduling cancelled flights and rebooking affected passengers without imposing additional charges.

Travel experts stressed that if a flight is cancelled due to operational reasons, airlines are obligated to rebook passengers or provide alternative arrangements free of charge. However, if travellers act independently, whether by cancelling or modifying their bookings before an official airline decision, they may incur additional fees.

Badr Ahli, director of DW Travel, said: “Airlines and thousands of travellers have been compelled to adapt to a new reality, as numerous flights to regional destinations, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran, have been postponed or cancelled. While carriers continue to monitor the evolving travel landscape, the most important question arises here is: what is the best course of action for those holding disrupted tickets?”

Ahli added: “It’s better for travellers to wait and avoid rushing to change their bookings, as airlines are monitoring developments in real-time and making necessary decisions regarding flight rescheduling or free rebooking if a flight cannot operate.”

He explained that airlines usually contact their customers directly and inform them with the latest updates, so it is important for travellers to ensure their contact details are accurate and up to date through official booking channels.

However, Ahli noted that some airlines may not issue timely notifications, which means passengers should take the initiative to regularly check their flight status via official websites. He also pointed out that some destinations may be indirectly affected by regional airspace closures, making it even more important to stay informed.

He referred to a range of flexible solutions that were introduced to safeguard travellers’ rights and lessen the disruption caused by ongoing airspace closures. These options include retaining the ticket for future travel, which is an ideal choice for those planning to complete their journey once conditions stabilise, as well as alternatives such as full refunds or rebooking on later flights.

Yassin Diab, general manager of Al Faisal Travel and Tourism Agency, said: “The current situation is marked by rapid developments and could change at any moment as flights may still operate as scheduled.”

The best option for travellers right now is to leave the decision to the airline. If the carrier cancels the flight, it will handle rebooking at no extra cost. However, if the traveller cancels or changes the booking, they may later incur additional fees when trying to rebook, he added.

Diab indicated that airlines are allowing travellers to rebook without incurring change fees, enabling them to modify their travel dates or even switch destinations, subjecting to each carrier’s specific terms at no additional cost, thereby offering a practical solution for those with flexible travel plans.

Meanwhile, Salah Mansour, executive director of Smart Tourism Solutions (STS) at Dubai Link Group, said: “If travellers are concerned about the possibility of a flight being cancelled, it’s best to let the airline make the decision. If the carrier cancels the flight, it will rebook affected passengers at no additional cost, sparing them any financial burden.”

Mansour underlined that “hasty changes to bookings could place travellers in a difficult position when trying to rearrange their plans, especially amid ongoing instability”. He remarked that airlines also offer affected passengers the option to receive a full cash refund, whether the ticket was booked directly through the airline’s website or via a travel agent. However, he added that the refund process may take time due to the current high volume of requests. “Some carriers also provide the option of a travel voucher equal to the ticket value, which can be used later to book new flights,” he added.

Airlines are advising all travellers to contact their offices or authorised travel agents directly to explore the most suitable options, and to regularly check flight updates via official websites. They also recommend updating contact details through the ‘manage booking’ service to ensure timely receipt of the latest flight information.