Middle East chaos forces Qantas flight diversions

Escalating conflict in the Middle East is causing major disruptions for Australian travellers, with Qantas forced to reroute flights and Gulf airlines cancelling services as airspace closures spark a global ripple effect.

The Australian government has warned travellers to expect delays as tensions between Iran and Israel spill into the aviation sector. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has updated travel advice for several transit hubs, urging Australians to exercise a high degree of caution.

Qantas confirmed it diverted two Europe-bound flights earlier this week due to airspace closures across the region. Its flagship Perth to London service was forced to stop in Singapore for refuelling, while a Perth to Paris flight turned back to Perth.

“We are monitoring airspace availability closely and will alter our schedule as required,” a Qantas spokesperson said.

Virgin Australia, which partners with Qatar Airways for international services, also rerouted flights to avoid Qatar’s temporary airspace closure after Iranian missile strikes. Some passengers chose to cancel their travel plans entirely due to the uncertainty.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong acknowledged the growing impact of the Middle East conflict on Australian travellers.

“There have been disruptions to flights with temporary airspace closures in the region,” Wong said.

The closures briefly shut down airports in Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, while Dubai International Airport experienced widespread delays. Flight tracking services reported almost 400 delays in Dubai alone as airlines scrambled to avoid the conflict zone.

Qatar Airways suspended all flights when Doha’s airspace closed, forcing several inbound flights to divert mid-route. Emirates has also suspended services to Iran and Iraq until at least the end of June, while Etihad Airways has paused its Tel Aviv route and adjusted other flight paths as a precaution.

Travel insurance experts have warned Australians to carefully check policy conditions before travelling. Many policies exclude coverage for cancellations or delays caused by conflict or war, leaving some passengers potentially out of pocket.

Travellers are being urged to stay informed, check their airline’s flight status regularly, and review their insurance coverage before departing.