Fresh warning issued for Australians transiting through Middle East

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Australian travellers have been urged to avoid travelling through much of the Middle East, including major airport stopovers, as the regional conflict continues to escalate.

The Australian government’s travel advisory service, Smartraveller, has updated its guidance, warning that the instruction “Do not travel” also applies to transit and airport layovers.

This means Australians are advised not to pass through airports in affected countries, even if they plan to remain inside the terminal.

One of the key hubs impacted is Doha, a major transit point for Australians travelling to Europe. Authorities warn that travellers who transit through countries under a “do not travel” advisory could face safety risks or may be unable to leave the airport if conditions worsen.

At present, most countries across the Middle East carry the highest-level warning. The only exceptions are Saudi Arabia and Oman, which remain under a lower advisory level urging travellers to reconsider their need to visit.

The warning comes as the Israel Defense Forces indicated it is preparing for at least three more weeks of military operations, with plans that could extend even further. The development suggests the conflict may continue well beyond earlier expectations.

Meanwhile, evacuation efforts for Australians in the region are continuing. Since flights resumed on March 4, more than 5,000 Australians have returned home on dozens of special flights.

Additional evacuation flights from Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi are scheduled to arrive in Australia as authorities continue assisting citizens leaving the conflict zone.

Source : 9News

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