The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has released fresh travel guidance for 13 countries within the last 24 hours due to the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, leading to worldwide disruption.
Amid the sixth day of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, flights carrying stranded British citizens from the Middle East are scheduled to land in the UK today. Despite initial plans for the first Government rescue flight and a British Airways commercial flight from Muscat to arrive in the UK on Thursday, a technical glitch at the Omani airport delayed the chartered plane’s departure.
With approximately 138,000 British nationals in the Middle East registered with the UK Government, only about 1,000 have managed to return on commercial flights since the conflict commenced. The FCDO faces a significant task in ensuring safe repatriation and providing updated information to British citizens.
In addition to revising its specific travel advisory pages, the FCDO has introduced a new central platform for individuals directly impacted by the conflict in affected countries.
For those attempting to return to the UK from the Middle East, if it is safe to do so and you wish to share your experience, you can contact webtravel@reachplc.com.
The FCDO now recommends essential travel only to Eastern Province and Riyadh Province in Saudi Arabia. It also advises against all travel within 10km of Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen.
In Lebanon, the FCDO now advises against all travel or essential travel to all regions, expanding its cautionary advice due to the conflict in the country.
For Bahrain, the FCDO has temporarily withdrawn some staff and dependents as a precautionary measure while maintaining Embassy operations.
In Nepal, additional information has been provided regarding potential disruptions during the country’s election and the impact on travel and visas due to heightened tensions in the Middle East.
The FCDO has updated travel advice for Georgia, highlighting travel disruptions and visa requirement changes. It warns against all travel to Russian-occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and advises essential travel only near the administrative boundary lines with these regions.
Regarding Malaysia, the FCDO issues a general warning about global travel disruptions in the Middle East and advises against all but essential travel to certain areas.
In Oman, individuals facing travel disruptions are encouraged to register their interest in UK government flights from the country.
The FCDO has updated travel guidance for Tajikistan, reflecting the general travel disruption concerns in the Middle East.
Ecuador has renewed a State of Emergency, announced a curfew in four provinces, and plans to close the land border with Colombia during the Colombian elections.
For Djibouti, the FCDO has updated its travel advice, issuing a general warning about global travel disruptions in the Middle East and advising against travel to the Djibouti-Eritrea border.
In Kuwait, Brits are urged to register their presence in the country. The FCDO warns of a high terrorist threat globally, including towards UK interests and nationals, and provides safety tips in case of a terrorist attack.
Thailand’s travel advice has been updated with a general warning about global travel disruptions in the Middle East.
The FCDO provides information on Jordanian airspace affected by regional conflicts, advising against non-essential travel to Jordan and within 3km of the Syrian border.