The reported Israeli strikes on Iranian military bases on **February 2, 2026**, have triggered a significant wave of aviation disruptions and updated travel advisories across the Middle East.
If you are traveling to or through the region, here are the critical updates you need to know:
## โ๏ธ Airline Status and Rerouting
Major international carriers have immediately adjusted operations to avoid the **Tehran Flight Information Region (FIR)** and surrounding conflict zones.
* **Suspensions:** * **Lufthansa Group** (including Swiss and Austrian) has suspended flights to **Tehran** through March 2026 and is currently avoiding Iranian, Iraqi, and Israeli airspace.
* **Air France** and **United Airlines** have scrapped services to **Tel Aviv** and **Dubai** indefinitely as they assess security.
* **IndiGo** has canceled several regional routes (Tbilisi, Baku, Almaty) until **February 11, 2026**, due to their reliance on Iranian corridors.
* **Cautious Resumptions:** * **KLM** had briefly suspended flights but attempted an "adjusted schedule" return to **Tel Aviv** and **Dubai** on February 1โ2. However, these are subject to immediate cancellation depending on the evening's security assessments.
* **Regional Carriers:** * **Qatar Airways, Emirates, and FlyDubai** have paused flights to several Iranian cities (Shiraz, Mashhad, Tehran).
* **Saudia** and **Qatar Airways** are currently rerouting flights around Iranian airspace, which is causing significant delays (up to 4โ6 hours) and increased fuel stops for long-haul journeys.
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## ๐ Government Travel Advisories
National governments have upgraded their warnings in response to the "indiscriminate" nature of recent strikes and the potential for rapid escalation.
| Country/Region | Advisory Level | Key Instruction |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Iran** | **Do Not Travel** | High risk of arbitrary detention and military activity. |
| **Israel** | **Avoid All Non-Essential Travel** | Risk of rocket fire and shrapnel; Ben Gurion (TLV) may face short-notice closures. |
| **Lebanon / Jordan** | **Exercise High Degree of Caution** | Airspace may be partially restricted for military use; check for daylight-only flight mandates. |
| **UAE / Qatar** | **Exercise Caution** | Increased risk of regional spillover and extreme flight delays at major hubs like DXB and DOH. |
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## ๐ก๏ธ Cancellation Policies
To manage passenger panic, Israeli and regional airlines have softened their refund rules:
* **El Al:** Offering full credit refunds for cancellations made up to **48 hours before departure** for tickets purchased through mid-March.
* **Arkia:** Providing vouchers for free cancellations on routes booked through **February 9**.
* **Israir:** Offering a "cancellation shield" for $35 that allows refunds up to 3 days before travel.
### ๐ก Pro-Tips for Travelers
1. **Check NOTAMs:** Before heading to the airport, check for "Notice to Airmen" updates. Sudden airspace closures (like those recently seen over the Strait of Hormuz) can ground flights while you are in the terminal.
2. **Monitor "Daylight-Only" Rules:** Some airlines, including the Lufthansa Group, are restricting flights to Amman and other regional cities to daylight hours only to minimize risk.
3. **Confirm Insurance Coverage:** Many standard travel insurance policies contain "War and Terrorism" exclusions. Verify if your carrierโs "Schedule Change" policy covers geopolitical conflict.
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