Reports suggesting Australians should cancel travel plans for the next six months are simply wrong, says ATIA CEO Dean Long.
Etihad and Emirates are flying today. Asian carriers – Singapore Airlines, and multiple Chinese carriers – are operating normally and providing reliable alternative routings to Europe. Yes, flight times may be slightly longer. No, you don’t need to cancel your trip, ATIA advises travellers.
Long reassured travellers that Europe is still very much on the table.
“There are plenty of safe ways to get to Europe and the aviation sector has and will continue to adapt,” he said. “Asia is open and operating. We have flights coming out of the Middle East. There will be some delays and a bit more disruption than what we’re used to but no one in the travel industry is going to put you in a place where it’s unsafe.
“Importantly, do not cancel. Whether you are booked to travel in the next weeks or planning to travel in coming months. If you’re booked to go shortly via the Middle East, it is critical that you do not panic-cancel but rather wait for your airline to cancel as otherwise you are erasing all of your rights of a refund or rebook. If your trip is in the next couple of months, talk to your accredited travel agent or tour operator as there are plenty of alternates.”
Long said 12 months ago, a 12-day conflict in the Middle East caused disruption and the travel industry resolved it quickly.
ATIA’s practical advice
- Download your airline’s app and check the Manage My Booking tab before heading to the airport to make sure your flight is actually going ahead
- Register with Smart Traveller
- If you’re already in the Middle East and want to get home, register with DFAT now – Middle Eastern carriers are repatriating Australians with no additional charges
- If you’re booked to travel in the next few weeks, don’t ‘panic-cancel’.
- If you’re booked to travel in the next few months, talk to your accredited travel agent or tour operator as there are plenty of alternative routes.
