Airspace closure. Photo: Andrii Yalanskyi / Shutterstock The recent travel chaos in the Middle East has largely created two big questions for affected passengers: “Will my travel insurance help?” and “What rights do I have if my flight is canceled or delayed?” Here’s a quick and practical look at everything you need to know right now.
In short, it depends on your policy. While most standard travel insurance plans do not automatically cover losses from war, terrorism, or military conflicts, things change for travelers who were fortunate enough to specifically buy “war risk” or “political evacuation” add-ons. These extensions are rather costly, but they were created for these types of situations.
In case your policy includes war risk coverage, you may be able to use it to get help with:
- flight cancellations related to conflict
- emergency evacuation costs
- medical treatment, if you’re injured in the affected region
In many cases, policies exclude direct war-related losses unless additional coverage is purchased. However, you might still receive coverage for unrelated issues, including lost luggage, personal injury, or sickness.
Be sure to carefully read your policy, fine print included, or get in touch with your provider, because wording can vary a lot from one insurer to another.
If you were flying with a European Union (EU) airline or departing from an EU airport at the time when your flight was canceled or delayed, EU regulation 261/2004 (EU261) will apply. What does this mean?
You may be entitled to:
- Duty of care (meals, drinks, and access to two phone calls, emails, or messages while you wait)
- Hotel accommodation, if you have an overnight delay
- Rebooking or refund: airlines need to offer a suitable alternative flight at the earliest time possible, which may include rerouting via another airline where appropriate, or a refund. The refund must be confirmed with the airline and should be received within seven days.
Keep in mind you will not be entitled to an additional fixed-sum compensation set out under the same regulation for cancelled flights, as “political instability” and “security risks" count as “extraordinary circumstances” for which airline companies cannot be held liable, as per EU261.
Under EU261, airlines don’t have to pay financial compensation if the disruption was caused by something outside their control, such as:
- severe weather
- air traffic control strikes
- political instability that leads to airspace restrictions
- airport closure
- security risks
Right now, airspace closures and military escalation are widely considered extraordinary circumstances. That means you may be entitled to care and rerouting, but not the standard cash compensation for cancellations.
What does not count as extraordinary circumstances:
- technical problems revealed during aircraft maintenance or caused by failure to maintain an aircraft
- collision of mobile boarding stairs with an aircraft
- airline staff strikes or crew shortages
Under EU261, if your flight is significantly delayed or canceled, and those delays happen while you’re stuck at the airport, the airline must offer you:
- meals and drinks
- hotel accommodation (if an overnight stay is required)
- transport to/from the hotel
- phone calls, faxes, or emails
This support is separate from refund or rebooking rights and is meant to keep you safe and comfortable while you wait.
In case your flight does not depart from the EU and is not operated by an EU airline, EU261 rules do not apply. That means your rights depend on:
The airline’s policies. Many airlines outline their compensation and care in their “Conditions of Carriage” or travel contracts. Look for sections on cancellations, delays, and extraordinary events.
Local aviation regulations. Different countries have different rules. Some may offer refunds for canceled flights but do not guarantee compensation for delays caused by extraordinary circumstances such as war or airspace closures.
Travel insurance. For non-EU travel, insurance is often your strongest protection. Policies may cover trip cancellations, emergency accommodation, medical evacuation, and other costs, especially if you have a “war risk” or “political evacuation” add-on.
Be sure to document everything by keeping boarding passes, written notices, receipts for meals or hotels, and screenshots of any flight changes, as paperwork is power in disrupted travel situations.
Airspace closures and military escalation are beyond any passenger’s control. Knowing your rights, reading your policy carefully, and acting quickly when a disruption occurs can make the difference between absorbing the loss, or getting the support you’re entitled to.