Cancelled flights due to the crisis in the Middle East: DMC and TO solutions for travelers

Are you affected by the cancelled flights in the Middle East? Discover safe alternatives for travel to Vietnam, updated prices and consular support.

The sudden geopolitical tension in the Middle East (March 2026) caused a record wave of flight cancellations. With the closure or restriction of airspace in Iran, Iraq, Israel and Jordan, key focal points such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi are temporarily paralysed, directly affecting international tourists travelling to or from Vietnam.

Panorama of the global air crisis

For years, air logistics centres in the Middle East have served as strategic transit points for long-haul flights between Europe, America and Southeast Asia. Major airports such as those in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Manama usually handle around 526,000 passengers per day under normal conditions.

Air Traffic Map Of Canceled Flights In The Middle East (source Flightrade)

However, following the escalation of the conflict, many regional routes had to be adjusted or temporarily suspended. According to data from the air tracking agency, there were more than 23,000 cancelled flights or diverted in the first days of the crisis, affecting about 4.4 million seats. Many international passengers found themselves stranded at the main connecting airports, causing unprecedented chaos.

The direct impact of ancelled flights on receptive tourism and challenges in the destination

Map Of The Middle East Affected By Cancelled Flights And Air Routes (source National Geographic)

Transit routes in the Middle East have always been considered the “golden” option for travelers from Europe, America and Latin America visiting Vietnam. Nevertheless, the escalation of the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel has created two major challenges for tourism in Vietnam:

• Passengers stranded in Vietnam: A large number of tourists who have just completed their trips could not return because the Gulf airlines (Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad) have suspended their operations. The search for alternative flights is extremely difficult due to the lack of seats and the exponential increase in fares. Meanwhile, these airlines have not been able to resolve passengers’ rights immediately, even for those with travel insurance.

• Forced cancellation of tours: Many travelers with reservations in Vietnam have been forced to cancel their original flights. The replacement flights of other airlines are limited, forcing customers to buy new tickets at high prices to continue their journey or, failing that, cancel the tour. This creates immense pressure on travel insurers in the face of high volume of claims.

Solutions for cancelled flights: TO and DMC coordination

Our Trips Team

Faced with this force majeure situation, international tour operators (TO) and destination management companies (DMC) in Vietnam have implemented emergency coordination mechanisms to protect customers:

• Maximum logistical support: Mobilization of staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist stranded passengers, negotiating with local suppliers (hotels, transportation) to obtain support fees and minimize additional expenses for the tourist.

• Legal assistance and insurance: help travelers in contacting their insurers to complete claim files; coordination with the Vietnam Immigration Department to manage visa extensions for those who have been affected by cancellations.

• Intensive flight search: using the alliance network to locate and block seats on alternative secure flights, allowing customers to complete their journey as quickly as possible.

Alternatives to airlines and transport solutions

To compensate for the interruption of connections across the Persian Gulf, prestigious airlines have increased their capacity and adjusted their routes safely:

1. Direct flights (priority option)

It is the most effective alternative to reduce travel time and avoid any transit risk:

• Vietnam Airlines: maintains stable direct routes connecting Hanoi/HCMC to Paris, Frankfurt, London and Munich. It is the safest and most reliable option in the current context.

Reference fare: From €3,150 (one way).

Vietnam Airlines Offers Directs Flights

2. Routes with stopover in safe HUBs

If your initial itinerary suffered from cancelled flights, these airlines offer alternatives:

• Air France: organizes connecting flights from Vietnam via regional HUBs (like Singapore) to Paris. Two additional flights were authorized from Singapore on 16 and 18 March to ease the demand.

Reference fare: between €2,488 and €6,240 (one way).

Aie France Offers Alternatives To Canceled Flights (internet Source)

• Turkish Airlines: a key alternative with transit in Istanbul, operating diverted routes to the north to avoid the Iran-Israel risk zone.

Reference Fare: Starting at $1,878 (one way).

Safe Routes To Avoid Iranian Airspace

• Thai Airways and East Asia Airlines: Connections via Bangkok, Taipei or HUBs in China (Air China, China Southern, EVA Air…) to ensure a journey far from conflict zones.

Important note: In agreement with the tourist community, European embassies in Vietnam recommend that travelers closely follow their itineraries and coordinate closely with their travel agencies. The current recommendation is to prioritize direct flights or stops in unaffected HUBs. If the wait for an alternative flight exceeds your visa by 45 days, please contact the local immigration offices (Hanoi/HCMC/Da Nang) immediately for immediate legal advice.

Will the price of tours in Vietnam increase because of this situation?

Impact Of The Conflict In Iran

Currently, the price of fuel in Vietnam has undergone an upward adjustment (from 25,500 VND/liter)(0.85euros/L), which has led to a slight increase in railway tariffs and domestic transport services. However, tourism suppliers in Vietnam act with caution and patience, waiting for the situation to stabilize before deciding on an official price change. As a DMC, we are doing everything possible to maintain the agreed rates for groups already sold, in the hope that tensions decrease and that the market regains its stability.

Our last words,…

Instability in the Middle East is an unexpected challenge for global tourism, but the safety and rights of our travelers are always our top priority. Despite route changes or difficulties on operational costs, our team of experts in Vietnam will remain alongside its international partners to find the best solutions. So don’t worry about your cancelled flights .We are confident that with careful preparation and dedicated service spirit, Vietnam will remain a safe, hospitable and reliable destination for you.

Song Phuong Anh