Crisis in the Middle East: What you need to know for your trip right now ✈️

simpego Travel

Military attacks and airspace closures: the current situation in the Middle East is causing significant disruption to international air travel. When major global hubs are forced to suspend operations, tens of thousands of travellers are quickly affected.

The current situation in the Middle East is raising many questions. Find out here what is covered by simpego Travel insurance and what you should do.

🟢 Key points at a glance

  • Safety first: Check the FDFA’s official recommendations before every trip.
  • War exclusion: As a general rule, events caused by war or civil unrest are not covered.
  • Surprise cover: If the crisis catches you out whilst travelling, you have limited cover for 14 days (e.g. for your return journey).
  • Cancellation: Costs for cancellations due to the political situation are not covered by the insurance – please contact your travel provider directly.

Current advice for travellers from Switzerland

The FDFA currently advises against non-essential travel to several Gulf states and neighbouring countries. These include, in particular, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Jordan.

If you are planning a trip to or through these areas (including connecting flights via Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha), you should carefully consider whether your trip is essential. As parts of the airspace are closed, you should expect significant delays or flight cancellations.

What does simpego travel insurance cover in the event of a crisis? 🛡️

Important to note:

Damage caused by war, revolution or civil unrest is not covered. This is standard practice in the industry and is also set out in our T&Cs.

We’re here to support you if the crisis catches you off guard

If you are caught completely off guard by the unrest whilst travelling, an important exception applies to you. To give you time to get to safety or organise your return journey, your insurance cover remains in force for up to 14 days from the start of the incident.

Your protection in the current situation

This is extremely important for you – whether you’re currently enjoying a beach holiday in Abu Dhabi, on a city break in Dubai, or simply using the airports in Dubai and Doha as stopovers on your journey to Asia, Australia or Oceania. If you’re stuck there or planning a trip in the coming days, you need to take proactive action now:

  • Make the most of the cover period: During this period, we will continue to cover your healing costs locally in an emergency and assist you with organising your return journey through our personal assistance service.
  • Avoid crisis areas: We strongly advise you to rearrange your travel plans so that you give the affected areas a wide berth. This applies both to your holiday in the region and to your return journey from Asia/Oceania. Contact your airline or travel operator in good time to obtain a quote for alternative routes or rebookings that do not pass through the conflict zone.

Please do everything you can to adjust your travel plans within this timeframe or to leave the region.

Cancelling or rebooking a trip: who pays?

If you wish to cancel your trip due to the current tensions, simpego travel insurance will not cover the cancellation or rebooking costs, as political unrest and acts of war are not covered under the policy. We are therefore unable to provide any compensation in this case.

Our tip: Contact your tour operator or airline straight away. Many providers are accommodating when official travel warnings are issued and offer free rebookings or vouchers.

Are you stuck or in a conflict zone?
Here’s how to do it right!

If you are already in an affected country or are stranded at a hub (e.g. Dubai or Doha), please follow these steps:

  1. Reporting to the FDFA: Please contact the Swiss Embassy in your country immediately, or call the FDFA helpline: +41 800 24 7 365 / +41 58 465 33 33 or send an email helpline@eda.admin.ch
  2. Contact the provider: Contact your tour operator or airline. They are primarily responsible for your return journey.
  3. 24-hour emergency hotline : Contact the operations centre of our partner TAS on +41 58 827 59 95. We will also check whether we can assist you, for example, with additional accommodation costs.

Important: Please do not arrange any travel arrangements (such as flights) on your own initiative without the approval of the operations centre, as we will otherwise be unable to cover these costs.

How to stay informed in real time 📱

Especially in such a rapidly changing situation, it is crucial to have the latest news. We recommend two official federal sources:

  • The FDFA news ticker: Here you will find the latest statements and updates on the situation in Iran and the wider region.
    🔗 Go to the news ticker
  • The Travel Admin app: Register your trip in the app. This allows the FDFA to contact you directly in an emergency and provide you with safety advice.
    🔗 Go to the Travel app

FAQs on the current situation

As of 4 March 2026

No. In this case, the airline is the one to contact.

They must assist you in accordance with passenger rights or offer you an alternative.

Keep pressing your travel agent. Unfortunately, the insurance cannot cover this, as political unrest and acts of war are not included in the covered risks.

No.

If you travel to a crisis zone despite a warning, you will generally not be covered by Insurance cover.

There are no exceptions to this rule, not even for events unrelated to the war, such as illness or accident.

The situation is changing by the hour.

If you’re unsure about what applies to your contract, our team will be happy to help.

📞 Helpline EDA: +41 800 24-7-365

📞 Einsatzzentrale TAS (Notfall / Panne): +41 58 827 59 95

Information current as of: 4 March 2026

Please always refer to the details in your individual insurance policy and your T&Cs, as well as the latest guidance from the government.