Australians are beginning to arrive home from the Middle East as airspace gradually reopens and airlines restore limited services, while industry leaders urge travellers not to cancel upcoming European trips despite ongoing disruption.
After days of closures and mass cancellations across key Gulf hubs, a small but growing number of commercial services have started operating again, allowing stranded Australians to finally return.
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) thanked accredited agents and tour operators who have been working around the clock to reroute, rebook and reassure affected customers.
CEO Dean Long noted:
“We want to acknowledge and thank every ATIA member contributing through supporting travellers, speaking publicly on behalf of the industry and feeding intelligence back to us. That collaboration strengthens our voice and reinforces the critical role accredited travel businesses play when disruption hits.”
As regional airspace closures continue and the Middle East conflict disrupts traditional flight paths, business continuation is proving essential to the health of national and global economies.
New figures from the flagship business travel divisions of Flight Centre Travel Group, FCM Travel and Corporate Traveller, show a strong, immediate response, led by airports in China.
Passenger volumes through key Asian hub airports have taken off 17 per cent in the last few days, with flows through China soaring 86 per cent and Malaysia increasing by 13 per cent.
This acceleration underscores the importance of flexible travel in keeping commerce moving during international disruptions. The ability to keep business moving despite geopolitics and disrupted air routes remains critical to the stability of both local and global economies.
Companies are adapting rapidly, channelling business traffic through resilient flight corridors to protect core economic flows, safeguard supply chains, and maintain vital connections. This swift response is not just about keeping seats filled but also about fuelling growth, protecting jobs, and giving markets the confidence they need to operate, even in periods of uncertainty.
“The safety and well being of our customers and staff is our top priority during this challenging time – we’re closely and actively monitoring the situation,” said Melissa Elf, Global COO, FCM Travel and Corporate Traveller.
“The majority of Europe to Australia flight connections operate via Asian hubs, not the Middle East, including China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and other major regional airports, with these routes continuing to operate normally.”
While the conflict has triggered widespread airspace closures over parts of the region, industry figures stress this does not mean Europe is off limits for Australians over the months ahead. Etihad and Emirates are resuming some operations and a range of Asian carriers, including Singapore Airlines and multiple Chinese airlines, are operating normally and providing reliable alternative routings to Europe. Flight times may be slightly longer due to diversions, but travellers are being told they do not need to cancel their trips.
ATIA CEO Dean Long has pushed back on headlines urging Australians to abandon Europe plans, arguing that such blanket advice does not reflect how quickly aviation adapts in times of crisis.
“There are plenty of safe ways to get to Europe and the aviation sector has and will continue to adapt. Asia is open and operating. We have flights coming out of the Middle East. There will be some delays and a bit more disruption than what we are used to but no one in the travel industry is going to put you in a place where it is unsafe,” he said.
Long’s central message is simple: do not cancel.
“Importantly, do not cancel. Whether you are booked to travel in the next weeks or planning to travel in coming months. If you are booked to go shortly via the Middle East, it is critical that you do not panic cancel but rather wait for your airline to cancel as otherwise you are erasing all of your rights of a refund or rebook. If your trip is in the next couple of months, talk to your accredited travel agent or tour operator as there are plenty of alternates.”
Travellers are being urged to work closely with accredited agents, who are prioritising those currently overseas while mapping out alternative routings and dates for those travelling later.
Long also points out that the industry has successfully managed similar disruptions before. Twelve months ago, a 12 day conflict in the Middle East caused significant travel upheaval but was resolved quickly, with airlines and agents drawing on well rehearsed contingency plans.
As the situation evolves, the focus for Australia’s travel sector remains on keeping travellers informed, advocating for flexible airline policies and ensuring that, despite the war’s impacts, Europe stays firmly on the itinerary for Australians in the months ahead.
