The ongoing war in the Middle East has caused significant disruptions to travel plans for West Australians, with more flights to and from Perth Airport being cancelled on Tuesday. This conflict, which began with missile strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran, has had a ripple effect on global aviation.
The closure of Qatari airspace due to the conflict has forced Emirates and Qatar Airways to suspend all flights to and from Dubai and Doha, leaving over 100,000 Australians stranded overseas. While some flights have resumed to bring passengers home, the war's impact on travel routes between Perth and the Middle East continues.
A Travel Nightmare Unfolds
On Tuesday, Perth Airport confirmed the cancellation of six more flights to and from Dubai and Doha, bringing the total number of impacted services since Saturday to a staggering 21. This situation is unprecedented, as Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong pointed out, because the hubs that are usually reliable in a crisis are themselves in crisis.
Senator Wong emphasized that the number of affected Australians is overwhelming, dwarfing any consular operation the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has ever conducted. Despite the efforts to resume some commercial flights, the reality is that an immediate resolution to this travel chaos seems unlikely.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Amidst the uncertainty, Smartraveller, the travel advice authority, has warned stranded Australians not to cancel their flights voluntarily. They emphasize that doing so could impact refund or rebooking rights and may not be covered by travel insurance. Many airline and travel agent call centers are overwhelmed, so Smartraveller advises waiting to be contacted by your airline if your travel is not imminent.
For those traveling within the next 48 hours, the advice is clear: contact your airline or travel agent to confirm your flights.
And this is the part most people miss...
The full list of impacted Perth flights is as follows, with a breakdown of the affected services by date:
28 February 2026:
- VA021 Perth - Doha
- QR901 Perth - Doha
- EK421 Perth - Dubai
1 March 2026:
- VA022 Doha - Perth
- VA021 Perth - Doha
- EK420 Dubai - Perth
- EK421 Perth - Dubai
- QR900 Doha - Perth
- QR901 Perth - Doha
2 March 2026:
- VA022 Doha - Perth
- VA021 Perth - Doha
- EK420 Dubai - Perth
- EK421 Perth - Dubai
- QR900 Doha - Perth
- QR901 Perth - Doha
3 March 2026:
- VA022 Doha - Perth
- VA021 Perth - Doha
- EK420 Dubai - Perth
- EK421 Perth - Dubai
- QR900 Doha - Perth
- QR901 Perth - Doha
This ongoing situation highlights the vulnerability of global travel networks to geopolitical conflicts. It's a stark reminder of the importance of staying informed and prepared when traveling internationally.
What are your thoughts on this travel crisis? Do you think airlines and governments are doing enough to support affected travelers? Feel free to share your experiences and opinions in the comments below!
