The Australian government has downgraded travel advice for key Middle Eastern hubs but is warning the region remains volatile and unpredictable.
Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have all been lowered from Level 4 “Do Not Travel” to Level 3 “Reconsider your need to travel”.
The travel industry welcomed the downgrade to the region, a major hub connecting Australians to Europe, following months of uncertainty caused by airspace disruptions and shifting travel routes.
The move comes ahead of the US and Iran’s formal signing of a peace treaty this Friday.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said in a joint statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) had assessed the conditions in the specified countries and determined it appropriate to drop the level.
Level 3 advice still urges Australians to reconsider both travel and transit through affected countries. (ABC News: Margaret Burin)
“We continue to urge Australians to postpone non-essential travel,” the statement read.
Level 3 advice still urges Australians to reconsider both travel and transit through affected countries, warning that conditions could shift with little or no notice.
Australians are being told to closely monitor warnings, avoid crowds and prepare for emergency scenarios including military escalation.
“If warned of an imminent attack, move to an enclosed hardened shelter,” Smartraveller advice states.
“If these are not available, seek an inner room without windows.”
Airspace across the region may open or close at short notice, potentially affecting flights through Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Move a ‘sensible adjustment’
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) also welcomed the downgrade.
ATIA chief executive Dean Long said the previous Level 4 warning had created confusion for travellers and insurers.
“This is a sensible and welcome adjustment, and one ATIA has been seeking for some time,” Mr Long said.
“For many Australians, these hubs are the connecting points that get them to the UK, Europe, India and Africa.”
Australians are being told to closely monitor warnings, avoid crowds and prepare for emergency scenarios. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
He said thousands of Australians safely transited through the region in recent weeks.
“With 150,000 Australians having safely travelled through those hubs, we wanted to ensure consumer confidence in Smartraveller’s advice remains optimum,” he said.
The downgrade is expected to reduce confusion around travel insurance coverage for transit passengers, which had emerged under the Level 4 classification.
However, Level 3 still carries strong warnings, with travellers urged to check insurance product disclosure statements carefully.
Australians are being urged to monitor updates via Smartraveller before booking, and again before departure.
