Fresh warnings emerge for Australian travellers, flights rerouted as Israel-Iran war at risk of 'unpredictable' escalation in Middle East

Australians have been warned of the travel disruptions to come as the Israel-Iran war in the Middle East threatens danger up in the air amid peak holiday season.
The nation's peak travel advisor published fresh warnings on Monday urging Australians to reconsider their flying plans not just for the Middle East but for around the globe too.
Smarttraveller labelled the conflict in the Middle East "unpredictable" and noted the situation could become worse with "little warning".
"Closure of airspace around transit hubs in the Middle East may impact flights globally. It may cause flight delays and cancellations," it wrote in a statement.
"Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.
"If you travel to or through the Middle East, you may be unable to leave if conflict escalates.
"There is a risk of reprisal attacks and further escalation."
Airlines flying Australians to Europe have begun rerouting to avoid the conflict in the Middle East. The challenge comes as more Aussies pack their bags to escape the winter for a European summer.
While Australians are yet to face any flight cancellation horrors, Qatar Airways, confirmed the ongoing situation 'will require some schedule changes to strengthen the connectivity'.
Both Virgin Australia and Qantas Airlines told Skynews.com.au it continues to monitor the situation closely, but flights currently remain unaffected.
"Virgin Australia's wet leased Doha services remain unaffected, however we continue to monitor the situation closely," a spokesperson for Virgin Australia said.
"If for any reason a schedule change is required, Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways will work together on identifying safe alternatives and will ensure guests remain well-informed of any impacts."
Flightradar24 shows the empty air space around Iran as more airlines make the decision to avoid the escalating war zone.
Planes flying out of the UK and Singapore bound for Dubai were cancelled on Sunday to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, leaving thousands stranded in uncertainty.
The chaos comes after the US military struck three nuclear facilities in Iran amid rising tensions between Israel and the Tehran capital.
On Sunday President Donald Trump declared that three nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan had been "totally obliterated" by the US strikes.
As Israel and Iran continue to trade strikes in the sky despite Trump's ground-penetrating bombs, the world is now watching closely with the conflict now expected to escalate.

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Australians have been warned of the travel disruptions to come as the Israel-Iran war in the Middle East threatens danger up in the air amid peak holiday season. The nation's peak travel advisor published fresh warnings on Monday urging Australians to reconsider their flying plans not just for the Middle East but for around the globe too. Smarttraveller labelled the conflict in the Middle East "unpredictable" and noted the situation could become worse with "little warning". "Closure of airspace around transit hubs in the Middle East may impact flights globally. It may cause flight delays and cancellations," it wrote in a statement. "Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. "If you travel to or through the Middle East, you may be unable to leave if conflict escalates. "There is a risk of reprisal attacks and further escalation." Airlines flying Australians to Europe have begun rerouting to avoid the conflict in the Middle East. The challenge comes as more Aussies pack their bags to escape the winter for a European summer. While Australians are yet to face any flight cancellation horrors, Qatar Airways, confirmed the ongoing situation 'will require some schedule changes to strengthen the connectivity'. Both Virgin Australia and Qantas Airlines told it continues to monitor the situation closely, but flights currently remain unaffected. "Virgin Australia's wet leased Doha services remain unaffected, however we continue to monitor the situation closely," a spokesperson for Virgin Australia said. "If for any reason a schedule change is required, Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways will work together on identifying safe alternatives and will ensure guests remain well-informed of any impacts." Flightradar24 shows the empty air space around Iran as more airlines make the decision to avoid the escalating war zone. Planes flying out of the UK and Singapore bound for Dubai were cancelled on Sunday to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, leaving thousands stranded in uncertainty. The chaos comes after the US military struck three nuclear facilities in Iran amid rising tensions between Israel and the Tehran capital. On Sunday President Donald Trump declared that three nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan had been "totally obliterated" by the US strikes. As Israel and Iran continue to trade strikes in the sky despite Trump's ground-penetrating bombs, the world is now watching closely with the conflict now expected to escalate.

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