Following the US and Israel’s launch of a ‘major military operation’ in Iran, tensions in the Middle East are continuing to escalate – leaving people wondering whether it’s safe to travel to nearby countries such as Turkey.
On Sunday, Iran vowed revenge after the killing of its ruler, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and traded strikes with Israel as part of a widening war prompted by the joint USA and Israeli attack, Operation Epic Fury.
Iranian authorities report that more than 200 people have been killed since the beginning of the strikes.
The wider region continues to be affected, as United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq and Qatar have all closed their airspaces.
Meanwhile, the conflict has prompted concerns among British holidaymakers heading to affected countries.
An RAF base in Cyprus has been hit by a drone strike, and all Easyjet flights to the island have been cancelled. You can read Metro’s up-to-date advice for Cyprus travel here.
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And, as Turkey shares a border with Iran, there are also concerns about travelling to the popular destination. Here’s everything we know so far…
Is it safe to travel to Turkey? Latest FCO advice
On March 1, the UK Foreign Office updated its advice on entering Turkey across the land border from Iran — informing British nationals that they must request support from the British Embassy in Ankara before travelling to the border.
The guidance adds: ‘If you intend to leave Iran overland, you do so at your own risk.
‘In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.’
The Foreign Office also continues to advise against ‘all travel to parts of Turkey’. This specifically refers to travel within 10km of the border between Turkey and Syria, in light of the terrorism risk.
This means that currently, there is no FCDO travel advice warning Brits against visiting some of the most popular holiday destinations, such as Istanbul, Cappadocia and Antalya.
Are flights to Turkey cancelled?
Flights to Turkey from London aren’t cancelled, but the situation is being reviewed closely.
Today, there are flights from London to Istanbul flying with British Airways, AJet, and Pegasus.
A statement from British Airways confirms that it’s closely monitoring the situation, and that it’s cancelled a ‘number’ of flights to the Middle East.
‘Safety is always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so,’ the guidance, issued on the BA website, reads.
It adds that customers flying between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv between now and March 15 are able to change their flight, free of charge, until March 29. Those due to fly up until March 8 can also apply for a full refund, given the situation.
As Jo Rhodes, travel expert at Which? tells Metro, many airlines are amending schedules in the Middle East, including making the decision to cancel flights to impacted areas.
She says: ‘Given the extraordinary circumstances, passengers on delayed or cancelled flights will not be entitled to compensation. However, if you are flying with a UK or EU airline, or are departing a UK or EU airport with any carrier, your airline should provide assistance during your delay.
‘Depending on the length of your delay, assistance may include food and drink and, where necessary, overnight accommodation. If your journey is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund.’
How close is Turkey to Iran?
Turkey and Iran are connected by land, and Tehran and Istanbul are between 2,000 and 2,050 kilometres away from one another by air. The border between the two countries stretches for around 300 miles.
According to Alaraybiya English, day-trip crossings at the border between Turkey and Iran have been halted at all three customs gates.
However, Turkey’s trade minister, Omer Bolat, added that Iran is allowing its own citizens to enter Iran via Turkey, and Turkey is allowing its own citizens to come back to Turkey from Iran.
What if I don’t want to travel to Turkey?
If you already have a holiday booked to Turkey and you choose not to travel, you likely won’t be eligible for a refund, because the Foreign Office hasn’t explicitly advised against travelling there.
However, keep an eye on the Foreign Office guidance to monitor the situation. If they do advise against travel, contact your tour operator, travel insurance provider or airline, who will be able to provide further assistance.
The airlines currently affected by the US strikes on Iran
Virgin Atlantic is rerouting flights to avoid Iraqi airspace and cancelled its London to Dubai service.
Turkish Airlines has cancelled flights to Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria are cancelled until March 2, while flights to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE are cancelled.
Wizz Air is suspending all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman, with immediate effect until March 7
British Airways has cancelled its flights linking London Heathrow with Bahrain and Tel Aviv until March 3.
Air Canada, Eurowings, Finnair and Swiss have also cancelled flights to and from Dubai.
Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai.
Air Arabia has cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq and other parts of the region.
Air France has cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel and Beirut in Lebanon.
Air India has suspended flights to all destinations in the Middle East.
Bulgaria Air has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel until March 2.
Lufthansa is suspending flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon, and Oman.
IndiGo has cancelled all flights to and from the Middle East until midnight.
Norwegian Air is suspending all flights to and from Dubai.
Oman Air has suspended flights to Baghdad.
Qatar Airways has suspended flights temporarily due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
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