Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) dramatically escalated its travel advice overnight, publishing a global alert that warns Australian citizens and corporate travellers of “widespread fuel shortages, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions” stemming from the latest military escalation in the Middle East. Released through the Smartraveller portal at 08:00 AEST on 24 July 2026, the advisory urges Australians already in the Middle East to make immediate plans to leave while commercial routes remain open and cautions those transiting the region to reroute where possible. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has instructed carriers to avoid Gulf airspace until at least 29 July, and several Gulf hubs – traditionally popular connection points for Australia–Europe itineraries – are reported to be operating on reduced schedules. DFAT lists a dozen jurisdictions – including Israel, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – at “Level 3: Reconsider your need to travel” and maintains “Level 4: Do not travel” for Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. Global carriers such as Qantas, Emirates and Qatar Airways have begun issuing waivers for affected itineraries, and travel-risk firms are advising multinational employers to activate contingency plans for relocating assignees or critical staff out of the region. For Australian businesses the alert has immediate operational consequences: companies must reassess duty-of-care arrangements, track staff movements, and verify that travel insurance still provides cover when official advisories change. Mobility managers are being told to build extra time into posting schedules, route shipments of household goods away from the Gulf and budget for higher airfares caused by longer flight paths and rising fuel prices. DFAT’s Crisis Centre remains activated and is coordinating with Australian Border Force (ABF) officers stationed at key transit airports to assist citizens whose onward journeys are disrupted. Travellers have been advised to subscribe to Smartraveller updates and carry at least two alternate itineraries when flying between Australia and Europe or North America over the coming fortnight.
Source: DFAT – Smartraveller
