The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on 12 July 2026 updated its Smartraveller advice for Qatar to ‘Level 3 – Reconsider your need to travel’, citing missile strikes linked to the widening Middle-East conflict. The advisory warns Australians that Doha airspace could close at short notice and that transit flights may be cancelled without compensation. DFAT urges travellers already in Qatar to maintain “a high level of security awareness”, avoid crowded venues frequented by foreigners and have contingency plans for rapid departure. The bulletin notes that terrorism remains a persistent threat and that Australians should familiarise themselves with local emergency shelter procedures. The shift from ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’ to ‘Reconsider’ triggers automatic internal reviews for corporate travel managers under most Australian duty-of-care policies. Several ASX-listed engineering firms with Gulf projects told Global Mobility News they have frozen non-essential trips and instructed travellers to reroute via Singapore or Bangkok where possible. Airlines are monitoring the situation. Qantas codeshare partner Qatar Airways continues to operate but warns of possible rescheduling. Travellers holding non-refundable tickets are advised to contact carriers immediately to explore waiver options. The update comes just hours after Virgin Australia announced extra Doha capacity for late-2026, highlighting the volatile operating environment Australian carriers face in the region.
Source: Smartraveller (DFAT)
