E-Paper
Sign In
Eid travel plans disrupted? What UAE residents need to know about refunds
Travel agents said that the outcome for travellers may differ depending on several factors, like airline policies, destination partners, and whether flights are cancelled automatically
- PUBLISHED: Wed 4 Mar 2026, 7:10 PM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid Israeli, US strikes on Iran for the latest regional developments.]
With Eid holidays approaching, many UAE residents who had already booked trips abroad are now closely following developments in the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict, as travel disruptions in the region raise questions about refunds and cancellations.
Recommended For You
Travel agents said that the outcome for travellers may differ depending on several factors including airline policies, destination partners and whether flights are cancelled automatically. In some cases, travellers may receive full refunds, while others may be offered travel credits or the option to change their travel dates.
Mir Waseem Raja, manager at Galadari International Travel Services, said refund policies currently vary depending on the airline and destination.
According to him, some travel operators are offering travellers the option to use the amount as travel credit for future trips instead of cash refunds. “A few destinations are giving full refunds for bookings, while others are asking travellers to use the amount later as travel credit,” he said.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
“UAE airlines are also offering flexibility, allowing passengers to either request refunds or rebook their flights without additional charges,” added Raja.
However, he noted that final decisions often depend on official notifications and travel advisories, especially if there are changes in airspace operations.
Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Travels, explained that travellers are usually eligible for full refunds if flights are cancelled automatically due to the ongoing situation.
But he said guaranteed full refunds are most likely when authorities officially announce airspace closures during the travel period, making it impossible for flights to operate.
“If the trip cancels automatically because of the situation, travellers can receive the full amount back,” he said, adding that the process can also depend on the travel agent’s coordination with hotels and other partners at the destination.
However, if travellers decide to cancel the trip themselves before airlines announce cancellations, they may receive only partial refunds after cancellation charges, or they may be offered the option to postpone their travel to a later date.
Thekepurathvalappil also said that group tour packages tend to offer more flexibility. In many cases, travel agencies reserve airline seats in advance through agreements with airlines without immediately submitting passenger names.
Because of this, agencies can sometimes shift travel dates for the group if needed, allowing travellers to postpone their trips instead of cancelling them.
Travel agents advise residents to stay in contact with their booking agents and monitor airline updates before making cancellation decisions, as policies may change depending on official announcements and developments in regional airspace.
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.
