Is it safe to travel to Cyprus, Egypt, and the Middle East right now?

The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East has affected the safety of travel to Cyprus, Egypt, and the UAE. Find out what recommendations are currently in place, whether flights are being canceled, and what risks to consider before traveling in 2026

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The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East between the US, Israel, and Iran has affected tourist safety and air travel in the region. After a suspected drone strike on the British military base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, the question arose: is it safe to travel to popular destinations such as Cyprus, Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, and Bahrain right now?

The Independent reports on the situation. Below is the latest information based on the universal recommendations of the UK Foreign Office (FCDO).

The situation in Cyprus: what is known after the drone strike

On March 2, 2026, the Sovereign Base Area Administration confirmed the possible crash of a drone at the Akrotiri Air Force Base. Following this, the UK Foreign Office updated its recommendations for citizens.

British citizens in the territory of sovereign military bases are advised to follow official instructions. Those in the Republic of Cyprus are advised to comply with the requirements of the local authorities.

At the same time, the FCDO does not advise against travel to Cyprus, but recommends taking “sensible precautions” due to the increased risk of regional tension.

EasyJet has canceled three flights between the UK and Cyprus as a precautionary measure. However, as of March 3, most flights to Paphos and Larnaca airports are operating as scheduled.

Passengers are advised to check their flight status via the airlines' official trackers. In case of cancellation, rebooking or refund options are available.

Is it safe to travel to Egypt

The UK Foreign Office does not advise against travel to Egypt's main tourist centers: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Hurghada.

However, there are restrictions for certain regions. It is not recommended to visit:

● areas within 20 km of the border with Libya;

● North Sinai;

● areas near military and security facilities.

After the escalation of the conflict, the recommendations for Egypt have not been updated, but travelers are advised to closely monitor the situation.

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Travel to the UAE: recommendations strengthened

As of February 28, the FCDO recommends refraining from travel to the UAE, except for essential travel, due to regional escalation and reports of missile attacks.

People in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been advised to stay at home.

After a temporary suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport and Zayed Airport in Abu Dhabi, some flights have resumed but are limited.

Is it safe to travel to Jordan

The UK Foreign Office does not recommend traveling within 3 km of the border with Syria.

There are no official warnings for the rest of the country, including popular tourist destinations such as Amman, Wadi Rum, and Petra.

Flights from Queen Alia International Airport are operating, although delays and cancellations are possible.

Bahrain: temporary closure of airspace

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Bahrain. It also advises staying at home due to reports of rocket attacks.

Bahrain International Airport has temporarily suspended flights due to the closure of its airspace. Passengers are advised to monitor official announcements.

Overall situation in the Middle East

US President Donald Trump said that the US is close to achieving its goals in Iran and that a ground operation is unlikely. According to the US Central Command, six American servicemen have been killed since the start of the operation.

The US State Department has urged Americans to urgently leave a number of countries in the region, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen.

There are also reports of two drones attacking the US embassy in Riyadh.

What Ukrainian travelers should consider

Popular tourist destinations remain open, but regional tensions are high. Before traveling, you should:

● check the current recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your destination country;

● monitor flight status;

● have a plan of action in case of flight cancellations.

Special attention should be paid to financial and medical security. In unstable conditions, access to medical services abroad may be more difficult or more expensive. That is why travel insurance for traveling abroad is not a formality, but a real tool for protection. Ukrainians can purchase it online through Visit Ukraine before traveling to avoid additional risks in case of unforeseen circumstances.

We remind you! Due to the closure of airspace, the Qatari authorities have decided to automatically extend visas for foreign citizens who cannot leave the country. Read about who is eligible for an extension, what the terms are, and what to do if your visa has expired.

Photo: wirestock / freepik

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