Australia has eased travel warnings for several Middle Eastern transit hubs but says the region remains unstable and travellers should remain cautious.
Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have all been downgraded from Level 4 “Do Not Travel” to Level 3 “Reconsider your need to travel” after a review by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said DFAT had assessed conditions in the countries and found it appropriate to lower the advisory level, while stressing continued caution.
“We continue to urge Australians to postpone non-essential travel,” they said in a joint statement.
Level 3 guidance still advises Australians to reconsider travel and transit through affected countries, warning that conditions may change suddenly.
Smartraveller advice also warns travellers to prepare for emergencies, including military escalation, and states: “If warned of an imminent attack, move to an enclosed hardened shelter,” or if unavailable, “seek an inner room without windows.”
Authorities also cautioned that airspace across the region can open or close at short notice, potentially affecting major flight routes through Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) welcomed the decision, with chief executive Dean Long describing it as “a sensible and welcome adjustment” that would help reduce confusion around insurance and travel planning.
He said the previous Level 4 warning had created uncertainty for passengers and insurers, adding that “150,000 Australians” had recently transited safely through the region.
Industry figures say the change is expected to improve traveller confidence and ease insurance issues that had affected bookings through Gulf carriers, including Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.
The easing of advice follows signs of reduced geopolitical tension, including a US–Iran agreement, with travel demand to Europe via Gulf hubs expected to gradually recover.
Travel operators say bookings to destinations such as Greece and Cyprus fell significantly during the disruption period, with some routes down by as much as 30 per cent, but expect conditions to improve as confidence returns and insurance coverage normalises.
Source: ABC.
