We travel a lot. And like many of you, we have spent the past few weeks watching the escalating situation in the Middle East with growing concern — and quietly reassessing our own plans. Where is it safe to go? What happens to booked flights? And where do you travel when your original destination is suddenly off the table? Questions we know many of you are asking right now. We turned to Roman Melzer — one of Germany’s most experienced luxury travel specialists, with decades of expertise in high-end travel across the globe — for his assessment. His answers are refreshingly clear.
The situation is serious: anyone with travel plans to the region should hold off for now. The United Arab Emirates is currently inaccessible for most travellers. Oman, traditionally a neutral country and frequently a mediator in regional conflicts, may be somewhat less exposed — but developments there equally need to be watched closely, given its geographical proximity to the wider situation. “We are monitoring things daily and adjusting our recommendations accordingly,” says Melzer. It is exactly the kind of calm, considered approach that the moment calls for.
The impact, as Melzer points out, reaches far beyond the region itself. Gulf carriers play a central role in global aviation, and as a result, long-haul routes — to Asia in particular — are significantly affected. This compounds an already difficult situation for European airlines, which have been navigating severely restricted flight corridors since the closure of Russian airspace following the war in Ukraine. Once the regional airspace normalises and flights can resume, things should gradually ease. When exactly that will be, nobody can reliably predict just yet.
With an official travel warning in place, the advice is unambiguous: do not travel. Many travel insurance policies are also invalid in regions under such warnings — a practical consideration that is easy to overlook in the rush to salvage a trip. Postponing plans is not just the sensible choice; right now, it is the only responsible one.
For those now rethinking their itineraries, there are genuinely strong alternatives. Melzer currently recommends Central and South America as well as parts of Asia for those seeking something further afield. And for those drawn back to Europe — the new travel season opens in just a few weeks, bringing with it a wonderful range of destinations that are particularly beautiful at this time of year. As always, we will keep you posted with new travel destinations and save alternatives.
IRMAS tips for travelling in uncertain times
- Try to travel by car rather than by plane!
- If you have to travel for business, research your destinations first. Always consider the worst-case scenario and plan for it. What would your exit plan be?
- Stay in touch with your travel agent and choose an experienced one with creative ideas on how to get you home safely.
- Research your insurance, especially when booking flights via your credit card, to check what is and isn’t covered.
- Take medication and extra comfortable clothes, as well as a warm scarf. You never know how long you might be stuck in transit.
