Is it safe to travel to Turkey right now? The latest travel and flight advice
The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has disrupted travel in the region. Airspace closures in the Middle East have caused flight cancellations, rerouting, and delays.British tourists planning trips to Cyprus, Turkey, and Egypt are advised to keep their travel plans flexible. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) is updating its travel advice due to the ongoing conflict.Some travellers feel uneasy about the conflict in the Middle East and are thinking about cancelling their upcoming holidays to places like Turkey (Turkiye).This follows a statement from the Turkish Ministry of National Defence that Nato air defences intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran towards Turkey.The Ministry of National Defence reported no casualties or damage after a missile was shot down over the southern city of Gaziantep.According to local authorities this is the second time an Iranian ballistic missile has been fired towards Turkey since the US and Israel began military action against Iran on February 28.While travellers are concerned it's important to note that Turkey's main holiday spots on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts are closer to Europe and are hundreds of miles away from the restricted travel zone.Antalya, Side, Bodrum, Dalaman, Fethiye, Izmir, Marmaris, and Kusadasi are all considered safe at the moment,and daily life is carrying on as usual.With concerns growing as the conflict continues is it actually safe to travel to Turkey right now? Here’s what you need to know including the latest UK Foreign Office advice. You can also follow our senior travel reporter, Portia Jones, on TikTok for updates.Does the UK Foreign Office say it’s safe to travel to Turkey?Right now the Foreign Office (FCDO) does not have a general ‘do not travel’ warning for Turkey so your holiday to major tourist areas can still go ahead.However the FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.The FCDO also state that “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”.British nationals should follow the advice of local authorities, avoid areas near security or military facilities, keep departure plans under review, and ensure travel documents are up to date. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter.Are flights to Turkey cancelled?Airlines are still changing routes and schedules because of ongoing instability in the region, which is also affecting flights outside the Middle East.Flights to Turkey are running as scheduled including those with Jet2, Tui, and easyJet. However passengers should continue to check their flight status as the situation is changing quickly and there are some delays and cancellations.A Turkish Airlines statement read: “Some of our flights to and from the following destinations have been cancelled: Bahrain, Dammam and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria, and United Arab Emirates.In the UK, however, flights to Turkish destinations are still departing from airports across the country including regional airports like Cardiff.In a statement Cardiff Airport said: "We are pleased to confirm that our flights to popular holiday destinations, including Cyprus, Turkey, and Egypt, are operating as scheduled."We are eagerly anticipating a busy and vibrant summer period and continue to work closely with our airline partners to ensure a safe, seamless, and enjoyable travel experience for all passengers."If I cancel my holiday to Turkey will I get a refund?The Foreign Office does not currently advise against travelling to Turkey (except for a specific area near the Syrian border) so normal booking conditions still apply.Consumer experts strongly recommend not cancelling your trip yourself. If you do, you might not get a refund from your provider.Holiday companies like Hays Travel are sharing updates to help customers understand if their holidays will still go ahead. Their latest update says: “We will contact you directly if your holiday booking is to a destination that the Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to."If your holiday is not affected by this advice normal booking terms and conditions apply. If the situation changes we will contact you.”If you have a holiday booked but decide not to travel your holiday provider might be able to offer advice or other options.There is a risk of getting stuck in Turkey if the situation worsens. It's important to check if your travel insurance covers cancellations and disruptions caused by war as most standard policies do not.If you have booked a package holiday to TurkeyIn the UK travel companies that sell flight-inclusive packages must protect customers' money through the ATOL scheme.ABTA also provides financial protection for UK consumers who book holidays through ABTA members. This protection ensures consumers receive refunds or assistance if their travel company goes out of business.Booking a package holiday or using a travel agency can give travellers extra reassurance and better customer service."Booking through a professional agent gives you the peace of mind that you are protected in the event of any changes to your travel," said Sarah Davies, a travel adviser from Life Begins with Travel."Even if just to have someone on the end of the phone to guide you through the process.”She added many online travel companies are not ABTA members so it is important to choose a company with both ABTA and ATOL protection "so you don't end up out of pocket and that you're well looked after".What are my rights if my flight to Turkey is cancelled?When delays or cancellations happen airlines should keep passengers informed and provide food and accommodation if an overnight stay is needed.According to the UK’s Citizens Advice website if your flight is covered under UK law your airline must let you decide between a refund, or an alternative flight to your destination.If you still want to travel your airline must find you an alternative flight, even if it's with another airline.If a flight delay means you need to stay overnight the airline must arrange and pay for your accommodation, including transport to and from the hotel.If you have to arrange your own travel and accommodation because of a flight cancellation or long delay the airline should refund reasonable costs.You should keep copies of all receipts and book the cheapest available ticket and hotel to help the airline process your claim.
