TALENT AVAILABLE ON MIDDLE EAST AIR IMPACT AND WHAT TRAVELLERS SHOULD DO
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is urging travellers not to cancel travel arrangements due to the Middle East situation without first seeking professional advice.
Importantly do not contact your travel agent unless you're travelling in the next 48 hours and have not been contacted in order to allow passengers who are immediately impacted to be supported.
ATIA is closely monitoring the airspace situation across the Middle East, which is having a direct impact on international flight operations and passenger itineraries. Several countries in the Gulf region have closed or significantly restricted their airspace following an escalation in regional hostilities. Major hubs - including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha - are affected, with cancellations, delays and rerouting already underway across multiple carriers.
Australia's travel professionals are supporting travellers currently impacted and ATIA CEO Dean Long is available for comment.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CEO DEAN LONG (AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW):
“The situation across the Middle East is evolving rapidly and is already disrupting international flight operations for Australians travelling via major hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.”
“Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways are the most directly impacted at this stage, but European and other international carriers routing through Gulf airspace are also experiencing delays and rerouting. The impact is broader than many travellers may expect.”
“Smartraveller has updated its advice for the UAE and Qatar at www.smarttraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/middle-east-conflict and travellers should be aware this may affect travel insurance provisions. We strongly encourage Australians to check DFAT’s Middle East conflict page and speak with their insurer if they have concerns.”
"Our members are actively supporting impacted clients, managing rebookings, securing alternative routes and providing up-to-date advice in what is a highly fluid environment.”
“Our message to travellers is simple 1) do not cancel arrangements without first seeking professional advice; 2) please unless you are travelling in the next 48 hours and have not been contacted, hold off contacting your travel agent right not to allow them to support those currently caught up in, and who are stranded, delayed and dealing with cancellations. The situation is evolving rapidly, and experienced travel professionals are best placed to provide up-to-date guidance tailored to each traveller’s circumstances.”
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 INTERVIEWS, please contact LJ Loch at [email protected] or 0488 038 555