The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Turkey amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. While most flights between the UK and major Turkish airports such as Istanbul, Antalya and Ankara are still operating, some delays and cancellations have been reported. Turkish Airlines has cancelled flights to several destinations including Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE due to the regional situation.
The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Turkey within 10km of the Syrian border due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism. British nationals intending to cross the land border from Iran into Turkey must request facilitation from the British Embassy in Ankara before travelling. The border remains open visa-free for UK and Iranian passport holders for stays up to 90 days.
Thousands of British nationals have been stranded across the Middle East since the US and Israel launched a major offensive on Iran on February 28. Airspace has been heavily impacted, with Dubai International Airport targeted in an Iranian missile attack and airports in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait grounding flights. Over 23,000 flights were cancelled by six major Middle Eastern airlines between March 1 and March 10.
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, and advises against all travel to Iran, Iraq, Israel, Oman, Palestine, Syria, Yemen, and parts of Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. British nationals in affected countries have been told to shelter in place and register their presence with the FCDO to receive direct updates.
