Travel Plans in Chaos as Major Airlines Shutter Dubai and Doha Transit Hubs

Thousands of passengers are facing a travel nightmare as airspace closures across the Middle East ground flights and reveal a brutal reality: your standard travel insurance may not cover acts of war.

Following coordinated military strikes on 27 February 2026, major hubs in Dubai, Doha, and Tel Aviv have seen departure boards flicker red. While airlines are offering limited rebooking flexibility, experts warn that the 'fine print' in most insurance policies excludes disruptions caused by military conflict or government-mandated shutdowns.

President Donald Trump has suggested the conflict could last 'four to five weeks', though he warned it may continue significantly longer, throwing spring and summer holiday plans into chaos.

Most travellers assume a cancelled flight equals a guaranteed refund, but the current escalation has exposed a major coverage gap.

War Exclusions In The Fine Print

Travel insurance is typically marketed as protection against the unexpected — illness abroad, lost luggage, and delayed departures. But military conflict is treated differently.

'Standard travel policies exclude coverage for disruptions tied to acts of war and military action,' said Sally French, a travel expert at NerdWallet. That exclusion can have significant consequences. Travellers who cancel trips or are forced to abandon them midway may not be reimbursed for non-refundable flights, hotel stays or tours if the underlying cause is military action or government-mandated airspace closures.

The key, experts say, lies in the wording. Each policy is a contract. Definitions of 'war', 'armed conflict' and 'government action' vary, and so do the benefits attached to them.

A Ripple Effect Across Global Aviation

The disruption has been widespread. Airspace closures affected major transit hubs, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. Dubai International Airport ranks second globally by passenger volume, making it a critical connector between Europe, Asia and Australia.

According to aviation data firm Cirium, 1,560 flights were cancelled on Monday alone — about 41% of those scheduled to arrive in Middle Eastern countries. The knock-on effects have extended well beyond the region.

Modern aviation networks are tightly interconnected; when one corridor closes, delays cascade across continents.

President Donald Trump has said the conflict is projected to last four to five weeks but could continue 'far longer than that', adding to uncertainty for travellers planning spring and summer trips. The escalation follows other recent US military operations in Venezuela and Mexico that also disrupted regional routes, highlighting how geopolitics can quickly spill into global travel systems.

What Might Still be Covered

Not all claims are automatically excluded. Some policies may cover secondary effects — for example, delays caused by crew rescheduling or operational issues stemming from hub congestion. Lauren McCormick, a spokesperson for travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth, noted that certain 'domino effects' may qualify under travel delay benefits, depending on the policy.

Travellers who purchased 'cancel for any reason' coverage before departure may be able to recover a portion of non-refundable costs. Similarly, 'interruption for any reason' benefits can apply to those already abroad. However, these policies are typically more expensive and come with restrictions, including reimbursement caps and strict filing deadlines. Experts advise reviewing policy documents carefully and keeping detailed records of communications with both airlines and insurers.

Airlines Offer Flexibility — With Limits

When airlines cancel flights, they are generally required to offer refunds if passengers choose not to travel.

In addition, several carriers have introduced temporary waivers that allow customers to rebook without change fees or fare differences on affected routes. For many travellers, this may be the simplest solution. 'This is a better option than travel insurance anyway,' French said, urging passengers to explore airline rebooking options first. However, airline flexibility does not extend to every loss. Missed hotel nights, prepaid excursions, or tour bookings may fall outside the airline's responsibility. In such cases, travellers must negotiate directly with providers, many of whom may show goodwill during periods of crisis.