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US-Israel-Iran tensions: UAE travellers delay bookings, prioritise refundable fares
UAE residents who were abroad are keen to come back to the Emirates, reflecting the confidence and trust of people in the country and its government
- PUBLISHED: Sun 1 Mar 2026, 5:00 AM UPDATED: Sun 1 Mar 2026, 9:40 AM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid Israeli, US strikes on Iran for the latest regional developments.]
Travellers in the UAE and Gulf countries are rebooking, prioritising refundable fares, and looking at alternative destinations and routes amid the ongoing military conflict in the region, according to travel agents.
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“The timing, just weeks before Eid al-Fitr, makes this particularly significant for millions of travellers across the GCC. Eid is one of the peak travel periods in our region, and our data shows that the underlying desire to travel remains very strong. What we are seeing is a recalibration: travellers are delaying final booking decisions, prioritising refundable fares, and exploring alternative destinations and routes,” Ross Veitch, CEO and Co-Founder of Wego, told Khaleej Times.
Many carriers suspended and cancelled flights to the Middle East due to tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran as Gulf countries closed their airspace.
“We are seeing the immediate impact across our platform, with a surge in rebookings, cancellations, and customer enquiries. Our real-time data shows increased search activity for alternative destinations and routing options as travellers adapt their plans,” he said.
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Ross Veitch stressed that travel in this region has consistently demonstrated remarkable resilience. “We are confident that once the situation stabilises, travel will recover quickly as it always does. Travellers will adapt, not cancel, and we are here to help them do exactly that,” he noted.
Not to cancel travel plans
Passengers in the UAE have been advised not to cancel their travel plans in panic due to the ongoing military conflict.
Travel agents said UAE airlines are flexible in terms of rescheduling their flights and offering refund facilities to passengers during such situations that are beyond their control.
“We are advising them to hold on to their Eid Al Fitr plans as of now because there are still 20 days to go and the situation will stabilise, hopefully, by then. Even if UAE airlines cancel flights due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions, the local carriers will fully refund the amount to travellers. They did so last year as well when the US and Israel attacked Iran,” added Avinash Adnani, partner at Neo Travel and Tourism.
“We are advising people not to a panic. Some people understand this, and they’re holding on to their Eid plans,” he added.
He noted that UAE airlines are flexible, as passengers can reschedule their flights without any additional charges, and opt for a full refund option as well.
Sudheesh TP, general manager at Deira Travel and Tourism, said airlines are proactive in terms of sharing the latest updates on their websites.
“The situation is beyond the control of airlines and passengers. Therefore, airlines will offer free flight rescheduling and refunds. There will be no penalties because it is neither the passenger's nor the airline’s fault. In such a situation, airlines are very flexible,” he said.
He added that there are concerns about group packages booked for CIS countries during Eid. “We try to calm the situation and tell them the situation will ease in the coming days, hopefully.”
People don’t want to leave the UAE
UAE residents who were abroad are keen to come back to the Emirates, reflecting the confidence and trust of people in the country and its government, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region, said travel agents.
Sudheesh TP said those expats who were on business trips are trying to come back.
Avinash Adnani said since there is no clarity about the situation, they are advising people not to cancel their flights, especially for the upcoming Eid Al Fitr, which is still around 20 days away.
“People are not saying that they want to leave the UAE, but those residents who are currently abroad want to come back here. This is the confidence and trust that people have in this country. This is an interesting aspect and heartening to see,” said Avinash Adnani, partner at Neo Travel and Tourism.
“People in India are calling us and asking if they can schedule their flights, as they want to return to the UAE and be with their family. They say the ‘UAE is our home’, and they want to come to their home,” he said.
