More than three months after the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East following American airstrikes in Iran, signs of diplomatic progress have led to the easing of travel restrictions across the region. On June 18, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) lifted its advisory against all but essential travel to Dubai and neighboring emirates, as well as to other states including Qatar and areas of Saudi Arabia, following the announcement of a tentative peace agreement between the US and Iran.
The conflict, which began in late February, caused widespread disruption to commercial flights throughout the Middle East. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, nearly 29,000 flights in the region were cancelled by early March, leaving numerous passengers stranded and forcing thousands of holiday cancellations. Dubai, a major hub for both business and leisure travel and a transit point for millions—95.2 million passengers passed through its airport in 2025 alone—saw significant operational impacts. Travel to long-haul destinations such as the Maldives and Australia was also affected due to flight suspensions via Dubai.
With the easing of the FCDO ban, airlines are gradually resuming services. British Airways announced plans to restart flights to Doha on August 1 and Riyadh on August 8. Flights to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain, and Amman, Jordan, remain suspended through the summer season and are scheduled to resume on October 25, though service frequencies to Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and Tel Aviv will be reduced to one flight daily. Additionally, BA will discontinue flights to Jeddah. KLM expects to resume routes to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam from August 10, while Emirates has already restored 97 percent of its global network from its UAE base.
Industry experts view the travel advisory changes as a significant development. Stuart Armsby, Middle East product manager at Kenwood Travel, described the update as one of the most notable travel shifts this year and anticipates a swift return of traveler confidence in the region. Michelle Amor, a travel specialist, highlighted the broader implications for British tourists, including renewed access to popular holiday destinations like Thailand, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
Importantly, the removal of travel restrictions also reinstates the validity of standard travel insurance policies, providing additional reassurance for travelers. Tour operators have responded by offering discounted packages, aiming to entice holidaymakers back to the Middle East and associated vacation hotspots after months of uncertainty.