FCDO updates travel advice to Middle East after Yemen air strikes

The US and UK launched strikes on Houthi rebel targets overnight on Friday (12 January) in a bid to stop the Houthis from continuing to attack ships in the Red Sea, which has been going on since November.

The latest advice from the FCDO, which applies to countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Oman, said: “Military activity is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea. 

“While the area of activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, there is a possibility that travel advice for nearby countries could change at short notice. You should continue to monitor travel advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities.”

The same advice applies to Saudi Arabi, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran. Although the FCDO already advises against all travel to Iran.

It has also been added to the travel advice to Israel where the FCDO is already advising against all travel to parts of the country due to the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza. The Houthis in Yemen have said they are attacking ships in the Red Sea in support of Hamas.

Meanwhile, Silversea has already decided to disembark passengers on Silver Moon in Jordan to avoid ports in the Red Sea.

Martyn Summers, executive director of Aito, said that its members who sell trips to the Middle East would be following the FCDO advice on travel to these destinations.

“If a destination is not in the ’against essential or all travel’ categories, which a considerable amount of Egypt is at present, then customers are continuing to travel. For example, Jordan and Dubai are cited as OK for travel at present by the FCDO,” he added.

“Currently, and understandably, these members will not be accepting new bookings in the near future which include areas of concern. 

“This highlights key concerns raised by Aito, among others, in the current review of the Package Travel Regulations.   

“For example, if airlines are still flying against FCDO advice, are airlines and insurers going to hide behind the regulations yet again, and refuse to refund costs that may have been incurred by customers, whether they have booked through a tour operator, a travel agent or booked direct?”