Geopolitics has forcefully returned to the center of the choices of those planning a trip. The growing tensions in the Middle East – with the involvement of Iran, Israel and the United States – together with the war in Ukraine now in its third year, are redrawing the maps of international tourism and putting the logistics of global air connections to the test. A situation that not only concerns the countries directly involved in conflicts, but which has a domino effect on routes, stopovers and travel times throughout the world.
The repercussions on flights
The Middle East represents one of the main hubs for intercontinental air traffic between Europe and Asia. Every military escalation therefore risks having cascading effects on routes, lengthening travel times or making key ports inaccessible. Dubai, for example, suffered serious inconveniences that left many transit passengers stranded, forced to wait for updates at the airport without certainty about subsequent flights. A situation that took many travelers by surprise and pushed airlines and tour operators to quickly review their operational programs.
Where not to go
The government portal Traveling Safely of the Farnesina today represents the main reference for those who want to inform themselves before leaving. The countries currently not recommended or to be avoided altogether are:
Private operators are also adapting, canceling departures to these areas for the next few weeks and suspending future programs pending developments. The situation is constantly evolving and even countries that today seem on the fringes of the conflict could be involved in a short time.
Where to go safely
Destinations far from the theaters of war remain reachable, but with a little more care in choosing the flight. The golden rule at the moment is to prefer direct flights or flights with stopovers in Europe, avoiding the large Middle Eastern hubs as much as possible. Among the destinations considered safe and easily accessible:
The last three require more attention in flight planning, but remain accessible by choosing the right routes. To reach Asia without passing through the hottest areas of the Middle East, a viable solution is to rely on Chinese airlines – such as Air China, China Southern or China Eastern – or Turkish Airlines, which operate through alternative hubs such as Shanghai, Beijing or Istanbul. Alternatively, those who prefer European carriers can board from London or Paris airports, from where direct flights to Asia depart for approximately nine or ten hours.
In terms of short and medium range destinations, there is growing interest in easily reachable destinations, also ideal for short trips of four or five days. American destinations, from Canada to Peru, are instead attracting the interest of those who want to get away from European and Middle Eastern instability without giving up an intense travel experience.
Expert advice
Relying on specialized operators offers a concrete safety net: real-time updates, assistance in the event of unexpected events and the flexibility to change the itinerary if the situation changes. Starting with an organization behind you means having someone who constantly monitors the evolution of scenarios and who can intervene quickly in case of emergency. In such a fluid and unpredictable context, the key word remains only one: inform yourself before leaving and during the trip, consulting official and updated sources such as the Farnesina portal.
