Missile tensions between Iran and Israel have thrown travel plans into disarray for British and Irish Lions supporters journeying to Australia for Saturday’s tour opener in Perth.
The escalating Middle East crisis forced temporary airspace closures across Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait after Iranian missile threats targeted US bases in the region.
Thousands of rugby fans routing through major Middle Eastern hubs including Doha, Dubai and Istanbul have faced significant disruption this week.
Flights have been diverted, delayed or cancelled as airlines scramble to navigate the volatile security situation.
British and Lions fans are facing chaos getting to Australia amid the conflict between Israel and Iran
PA
The Lions squad and staff, who flew with Qatar Airways over the weekend, managed to avoid the chaos.
One supporter revealed their Edinburgh flight landed in Istanbul before being forced to return to the Scottish capital.
The disruption has left many fans scrambling to reach Western Australia in time for the Lions’ first match.
Those who booked connecting flights through affected Middle Eastern airports have borne the brunt of the chaos.
Gulf expert Corina Goetz, CEO of consultancy Star-CaT, warned that travellers should brace for continued instability.
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The Lions get their tour underway on Saturday with a warm-up match against Force
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“Travellers connecting through the Middle East heading to Australia should be prepared for short-notice delays or rerouted flights in the current climate,” she told City AM.
She highlighted the severity of recent events: “We briefly saw some cancellations from Emirates and this week missiles were intercepted in Qatari airspace a stark reminder that even stable transit hubs like Doha or Dubai are not entirely insulated from wider regional tensions.”
Goetz urged passengers to “factor in possible disruptions, monitor airline updates closely, and allow extra buffer time in their itineraries.”
Aviation editor Rhys Jones from frequent flyer website Head for Points advised supporters to “plan for the unexpected, with the disruption we’ve seen over the past few days potentially continuing.”
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British and Irish Lions fans have been told to expect disruption while travelling
PA
He stressed that independent travellers should prepare contingency plans. “Whenever there is disruption to air travel, always monitor airline and flight details carefully, particularly on long haul and connecting flights, and be aware of other airlines and options,” Jones said.
“Being a step ahead of the other passengers and having an idea how you’d prefer to reroute your journey will help you stay in control as much as possible.”
Emirates confirmed it would maintain scheduled operations whilst monitoring developments.
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