Middle East Airspace Disruptions: Advice for Travellers - ATIA CEO Dean Long available for interview
ATIA
23 June 2025: With escalating tensions in the Middle East impacting global aviation routes, the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is advising Australian travellers to remain informed and, most importantly, not to cancel their flights.
Airspace closures over Iran, Israel and Russia have significantly narrowed flight corridors into Europe, with delays and route diversions common particularly for passengers transiting through Middle Eastern hubs such as Doha and Dubai. However, major carriers continue to operate with adjusted flight paths, and travellers using Singapore Airlines, Qantas or Cathay Pacific are experiencing minimal disruptions via Singapore and Hong Kong.
Airlines have well-established systems in place to navigate such restrictions, and have been operating under constrained conditions since the start of the Ukraine conflict. Travellers should expect some delays, but not panic.
ATIA encourages all travellers to:
- You will be contacted, your accredited travel agent or airline, will prioritise impacted travellers of delays and cancellations. Please do not contact your agent or airline now unless you’re travelling in the next three days to enable the needs of those travelling immediately to be accommodated.
- There is an increased chance of delays there is an increased chance of delays so be prepared that you maybe spending some time airports as a result of schedule adjustments.
- Avoid cancelling flights independently, when an airline cancels your flights you are entitield to a full refund.
- Monitor official travel advice, particularly via the SmartTraveller website.
This evolving situation reinforces the importance of booking through an ATIA Accredited Travel Business. Accredited agents and businesses are best placed to manage disruptions, rebook flights and ensure clients receive their full entitlements under Australian Consumer Law.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CEO DEAN LONG:
“Australians flying to Europe via the Middle East should be prepared for some delays, but it's important to know that global airlines have systems in place to manage these disruptions. We’ve seen this before, and the travel ecosystem is built to respond.”
“The closure of airspace is not new. Airlines have been rerouting around Russia and Ukraine for more than two years, and are now adjusting again. The airlines that fly to Australia have world leading safety protocols and route management.”
“Travellers shouldn’t panic or cancel unnecessarily. The one thing we learned through COVID is don’t cancel as it reduces the number of rights you have. Let the airline make that decision. This approach ensures your rights are protected and you get the support you need.”
“In volatile situations like this, having an ATIA Accredited Travel Business on your side makes all the difference. They have direct access to airline systems, understand the complexities of changing travel conditions, and will advocate on your behalf to rebook disrupted flights or secure refunds. It means you're not navigating delays, diversions or cancellations alone. Your accredited travel agent or airline will be in contact however please understand that those immediately impacted and travelling over the next few days are the priority.”
About us:
About ATIA (www.atia.travel):
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is the peak body representing Australia’s $69 billion travel industry. ATIA represents the majority of Australian travel agents, corporate agents, tour operators, wholesalers and ITOs.
In 2024 alone, ATIA members booked $13.5 Billion TTV of retail bookings, $11.8 Billion of Corporate Bookings and $5.6 Billion of Land Operations. Typically, at least 70% of all international air sales in Australia are through our members, and over 90% of corporate sales (medium and large businesses), rather than directly through airlines. Whereas with cruises, 73% of travellers use travel advisors to book.
An impressive 92% of ATIA members are small businesses, with women making up 72% of the workforce.
ATIA administers the ATIA Accredited program, which is the largest and most representative accreditation scheme for travel businesses in Australia. ATIA represents over 1,120 ATIA Accredited members and over 28,000 employees nationwide, directly supporting 16.98 million Australian travellers every year.
Contact details:
For media enquiries or to set up an interview, please contact LJ Loch at [email protected] or 0488 038 555