Transit Through Dubai

Spaceace

Having read the MSE article and the various comments on here I'm still confused about connecting flights through Dubai.

We are booked on a package (flights and a tour) to Asia in a few weeks time, travelling from the UK and connecting in Dubai.

We haven't heard from the tour operator yet (they're probably busy with earlier departures) and we're hoping that by the time we are due to travel the situation will be improved or at least more certain.

However, if things remain as they are (with the FCDO advising against all but essential travel to Dubai) and our flights are operating, would we be expected to travel to Dubai to make the connection or would this be against FCDO advice?

I foresee a potential situation where we arrive in Dubai and, for whatever reason, the connection is delayed or cancelled and we are in the situation of being stuck in UAE having travelled against FCDO advice and are therefore without insurance cover. I'm also not excited about potentially flying into an active war zone.

Any thoughts on how the ATOL/PTR rules apply here.

silvercar

If the FCDO advises against all but essentials travel, then they are advising you not to have a stop in Dubai.

Grumpy_chap

There was another thread in the past week where the subject of "what is essential travel?" was discussed. There does not seem to be a single definition.

I can see that the extent to which the stopover / interconnection in Dubai (or any Middle Eastern hub) is essential is different for the OP (who has not departed and still has the choice not to depart) than for a holidaymaker already away and needing to make the return from a location that would have had an interchange in the Middle East.

I suspect, as the OP says, everything will become clearer in the few weeks before the OP is due to fly and either Middle East flights will have returned to normal or will have reduced to zero (apart from a very small number of flights for individuals starting or ending a journey in Middle East).

Quite possibly, all the OP can do know is ask their tour operator for an update but realise they probably need to just sit tight for clear information. There was another thread where the individual had been advised by their airline that no firm decision / change would be available until 72 hours before the flight at the earliest.

Spaceace

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913625#Comment_81913625

I realise we're going to have see how things develop over the next couple of weeks and that's what we're doing at present. We still want to go on the trip if it's safe to do so.

My concern is that, if we get close to departure and the FCDO advice hasn't changed but the flights are operating, could the tour operator refuse the option to defer or refund and so force us into the situation of losing the cost of the trip or flying into an unknown situation?

user1977

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913583#Comment_81913583

Yes, and distinguished from other examples of FCDO advice where they have said that e.g. transiting through an airport is safe, but you don't want to head into the city.

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913822#Comment_81913822

Yes, possibly.

I think the tour operator would follow the stance that if the flight is going, then they can use it. After all, the relevant authorities and the airlines have risk assessed safe to fly, what knowledge does a tour operator have to challenge?

On the contrary, the capacity of the hub airports in Middle East could well be reduced meaning that the transit routes are all via other locations

Spaceace

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913856#Comment_81913856

I guess it depends on who are the "relevant authorities". The airline and tour operator have a vested commercial interest in things going ahead but I can see my travel insurance relying on the FCDO "essential travel only" advice to deny any cover if things go wrong and, let's be honest, you only need travel insurance when things go wrong.

We'll see how it pans out over the next few weeks but I'm thinking that, if the situation continues as is, no reputable tour operator is going to allow us to travel through an area subject to a FCDO travel restriction where our insurance would be invalid. Especially since having valid insurance coverage is a term of their contract.

My starting point was along the lines of silvercar's comment "If the FCDO advises against all but essentials travel, then they are advising you not to have a stop in Dubai." But all the official advice seems to be concerned only with travel to UAE to visit UAE not transit passengers, hence the original question.

Thanks all for the inputs.

Annemos

Out of interest: here is what Insure and Go Travel Insurance is saying on their help page.

Please note in particular this part (does this mean one is covered for usual medical/health emergencies for up to 48 hours. But then ask them if it is going to exceed this?)

• Q: If my connecting flight is in Qatar/UAE, am I still covered?
  • A: Yes. If your journey includes a stopover in a country outside the region shown on your policy, you are automatically covered during your transit for up to 24 hours. 
    To provide extra reassurance during the current disruption, we have increased our stopover cover from 24 hours to 48 hours at no additional cost. This gives you added flexibility and protection if connecting flights are delayed or rescheduled.
    If your stopover is expected to exceed 48 hours, please contact our Customer Service team and we’ll be happy to help.

Also note their position on what a Stop-over is

• Q: If I don’t go through customs, does FCDO advice still affect cover?
  • A: A stopover includes landing or being in the destination even if you don't pass through customs. 
    You are automatically covered during your transit for up to 24 hours. To provide extra reassurance during the current disruption, we have increased our stopover cover from 24 hours to 48 hours at no additional cost. 
    This gives you added flexibility and protection if connecting flights are delayed or rescheduled.
    If your stopover is expected to exceed 48 hours, please contact our Customer Service team and we’ll be happy to help.

https://help.insureandgo.com/hc/en-gb/articles/44324323572241-Travel-Update-Middle-East-Disruption

Spaceace

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81914263#Comment_81914263

Thank you, that's very helpful.

Our insurance is with Aviva through Nationwide Flexplus, I shall investigate whether they have introduced a similar provision.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913625#Comment_81913625

There is no definitive list of what is and isnt essential travel but the FCDO has various ways of explaining it generally something like "individual, informed decision based on urgent, unavoidable circumstances—such as critical business or family commitments"

Going on a package holiday is almost never going to meet the definition of essential travel and at present there is no carve out in FCDO advice for transiting.

As things stand at the moment it would be against FCDO advice and therefore could cause major issues with your insurance. Its a highly volatile situation still at the moment so you are probably just too early

NoodleDoodleMan

Which tour operator is the package booked with - and how far ahead is the holiday ?

They'll likely be watching developments to determine if the flights may go ahead, rather than cancel.

TUI did that with us at the time of covid for the Canaries - they held off making a no travel call until about three weeks from the flight dates. If I had cancelled before then I would have lost the monies paid.