Urgent Guide for Travelers: How to Request a Refund for Flights When Airspace is Closed Due to Iran-Israel Conflict

How to request a refund for airline tickets and understand passenger rights when flights are canceled due to airspace closures amid the latest Iran-Israel conflict, along with a list of affected airlines.

Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel in March 2026, resulting in airspace closures across several Middle Eastern countries and abrupt flight cancellations by major airlines, Thai travelers planning trips or work abroad face uncertainty. Thairath Online summarizes the refund procedures and passenger rights to help you manage this crisis calmly.

List of airlines affected by the Iran-Israel conflict (Updated March 2026).

The unrest has directly impacted key Middle Eastern aviation hubs. Passengers holding tickets with the following airlines should closely monitor their flight status.

• Emirates / Etihad: Temporarily suspending flights both inbound and outbound from Dubai and Abu Dhabi due to partial airspace closures.
• Qatar Airways: Temporarily suspending flights, with many delayed flights stranded in Doha.
• Thai Airways: Operating normally but rerouting flights to avoid risky areas, potentially extending flight times by 20–40 minutes.
• Lufthansa / Air France: Canceling flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Amman until next week.
• Turkish Airlines: Temporarily canceling flights on routes to Iran and neighboring countries.

Passenger rights when airspace is closed and flights are canceled.

When airlines cancel flights due to force majeure or national security reasons, Thai passengers are entitled to the following internationally recognized options:

• Full Refund: Receive a refund through the original payment method (credit card or cash).
• Rebooking: Change travel dates without fees within a specified period.
• Travel Credit (Travel Voucher/Credit Shell): Retain the ticket value for future travel, often with added perks or bonuses from some airlines.

Proper steps to request a flight ticket refund.

To ensure a swift refund and minimize confusion during the crisis, follow these steps:

• If booked directly with the airline: Contact the airline's call center or app with your Booking Reference ready. Filing a refund request online is recommended for faster processing than waiting on busy phone lines.
• If booked through an agency (OTA), such as Traveloka, Agoda, orTrip.com,contact the booking agent directly, as airlines refund through agents before reimbursing passengers.
• For award ticket holders: Contact the membership department to request mileage and fuel surcharge refunds under emergency conditions.

Can travel insurance be claimed when airspace is closed due to war?

It is important to know that most travel insurance policies exclude war-related incidents if stated in the policy exceptions. However, some policies may compensate for cancellations due to "airspace closures for safety" or "flight delays." Contact your insurance provider immediately before canceling tickets yourself.

Warning: Do not rush to "cancel the ticket yourself."

If the airspace is not yet closed and the airline has not officially canceled your flight, canceling on your own out of concern may incur fees under non-refundable ticket terms. It is advisable to wait for the airline’s official cancellation announcement to retain full refund rights or wait until force majeure conditions are confirmed.

In this uncertain war situation, staying informed through reliable sources and checking real-time flight status is crucial. If you plan to travel during this period, review each airline’s refund policies in advance and carefully consider whether travel is necessary to ensure your safety.