Travelers Urged to Check Refund Procedures Amid Iran-Israel War Airspace Closures

How to claim airline ticket refunds and passengers’ rights when flights are canceled due to airspace closures amid the latest Iran-Israel war, along with a list of affected airlines.

Amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel in March 2026, multiple Middle Eastern countries have closed their airspace, forcing major airlines to abruptly cancel flights. This has raised concerns among Thais planning travel or work abroad. Thairath Online summarizes refund steps and your rights to calmly handle this crisis.

Check the list of airlines affected by the Iran-Israel war (updated March 2026).

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

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

Passengers’ 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 standard international options as follows:

• 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 Voucher/Credit Shell: Retain ticket value for future travel, often with special bonuses or perks from some airlines.

Proper procedures to request an airline ticket refund.

To ensure the fastest refund and reduce confusion during this crisis, proceed as follows:

• If booked directly with the airline: Contact the airline’s call center or app with your booking reference ready. Submitting an online "Refund Request" is recommended for quicker processing than waiting on phone lines.
• If booked through an agency (OTA) like Traveloka, Agoda, or Trip.com: Contact the booking agent only, as airlines refund the agent first, who then returns funds to passengers.
• If redeeming miles for tickets: Contact the membership department to reclaim miles and fuel surcharges per emergency policies.

Can travel insurance be claimed when airspace closes due to war?

Important: Most travel insurance policies exclude war coverage if specified in the terms. However, if cancellations arise from "airspace closure for safety" or "flight delays," some policies may offer proportional compensation. Contact your insurer immediately before canceling tickets yourself.

Warning! Do not rush to "cancel tickets yourself."

If airspace remains open and airlines have not officially canceled flights, self-canceling out of concern may incur fees under non-refundable ticket rules. It is advised to wait for official airline announcements to preserve full refund rights or until "force majeure" conditions are declared by the airline.

In this uncertain wartime situation, following trusted news 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 for maximum safety.