Advice for current ongoing emergencies

Date: 30/04/26

Guidance around securing flights

As you will be aware, the Middle East has experienced periods of heightened regional tension, which has resulted in flight disruption, airspace restrictions, short‑notice cancellations, and enhanced airport security procedures. This guidance is for all students (UG/PGT/PGR) with upcoming placements abroad which may be impacted by one or more of the above.

1. If you have already booked flights which transit via Middle East airport hubs (principally Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha)

• There is currently no FCDO Travel Advice against transiting through Middle East hub airport countries (UAE, Qatar), therefore the University’s travel insurance cover is in place while transiting through a country.  However, you must remain airside for the cover to hold.  If you were to move to landside (i.e. go through immigration to enter the country), then you are not covered whilst in the transiting country.   If you needed to move landside due to an airport evacuation, then cover would continue and any extra accommodation/sustenance/rerouting costs could be covered by insurance if not available through the airline. 
• If you wish to change your flight route to a non-Middle East airport transit route, you will need to seek a refund from your flight provider/airline. Unfortunately, insurance is not in place to cover a change to flights, unless the airline cancels and does not refund/offer an alternative.

2. If you have not booked flights

•  Non-refundable flights should not be booked until travel approval has been granted and flexible/refundable tickets should be bought wherever possible. However, we appreciate that the current global fuel situation is significantly impacting air fares. While you may opt to book non-refundable flights ahead of travel approval on the basis of your financial position,  please be aware of the risks of making this commitment ahead of having your travel approved, essentially that any cancellation costs (flights or accommodation) will not be covered by insurance.
• When booking flights you should consider all possible routes and the possibilities of disruption and associated impact of such disruption related to each before making your booking.
• You should ensure you have a return flight booked before you leave given the potential disruption to flights home at the end of your placement. This will decrease the likelihood of you being impacted by further price increases or increases in demand.
• You should ensure you have familiarised yourself with the University Travel Insurance cover and parameters of this cover . Please note that any personal travel after your placement is not covered and ensure you have arranged appropriate insurance for this period.

3. Considerations for you to keep in mind as you book flights:

• Given the uncertain situation for flights, both relating to fuel shortages and airspace closures, when planning your route, consider locations where you would not wish to be stranded en route either short or long-term.
• You need to persevere and have patience; you may have to check many routes to find a viable option. It is possible that by the time you get to the end of the booking, the flight has been filled/cancelled and the process starts again.
• You may need to consider travel to an airport that is further from your placement destination as well as the closest airport, bearing in mind the need to arrange and pay for ground transportation upon arrival.
• Allow sufficient time for connections, to ensure any late flights do not impact onward transit.
• Plan to allow time for flights to be cancelled/rescheduled for arrival at your destination to start your placement and when returning at the end of your placement.
• Check the FCDO Travel Advice in relation to your planned route, as there may be relevant guidance around transiting / travel restrictions through particular countries - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice You should not transit via a country where there is FCDO advise against transiting. If the advice changes by the time of departure, insurance should cover you for the cancelled flight if not refunded by your airline and you should seek to rebook via a different route.
• All major airlines operating internationally meet very high safety standards, however do check EU Safety list if in doubt.
• If you receive Turing travel funding, as long as you travel then you can continue to receive this funding for costs of the flights you actually took. If your placement is cancelled, then you may need to return your funding. You can contact turingscheme@manchester.ac.uk for advice.
• University Travel Insurance provides cover for 7 days before and after your placement. If you are undertaking personal travel beyond this period then you should source appropriate insurance.

4. Preparing for travel

•  Plan in advance regarding the possibility of flight disruption, prior to or en route; in particular, think about:

1. Carrying spare clothes and hygiene items in your hand luggage in the event of an unexpected or long layover;
2. Carrying spare medication (however please check any regulations for carrying medicine through your transit airport, this can be seen on the FCDO Travel Advice page for the country of transit)
3. Carrying chargers and adaptors
4. Ensure you have access to emergency funds and alternative methods of payment in the event of an unexpected or long layover;
5. Ensure you have access to sufficient data in any transit country, consider an e-sim

• In the event of your flight being cancelled or rescheduled en route, see the quick guide of what to do below.
• If your flight home at the end of your placement is cancelled, your airline should offer alternative flights and also provide accommodation and support with sustenance costs. If they do not, then these costs should be claimable through insurance, however this would be on a reimbursement basis so you should make a plan for how you will manage if you have to remain in your host country longer than expected. This should cover both finances and practical matters such as ensuring you have sufficient medication, where relevant.

Quick guide: If Your Connection Is Cancelled

If your flight is delayed - stay airside (in the airport and not having gone through immigration) and monitor updates.

If your flight is cancelled and you are still airside, go to the transfer desk for your airline to ask for advice. Remain airside unless told otherwise.

You should ensure you check the immigration rules and insurance cover for entering any transit country before moving from airside to landside.

If the airline books you onto a new flight, get your new boarding pass, confirm your baggage, notify any contacts of your new travel plans e.g. hotel booked for arrival.

If the new flight is not until the following day, check if you can stay airside. If not, do NOT enter the country unless you are sure you have immigration permission to do so, be aware of implications for insurance cover and also be aware of any other legal requirements of entering your transit country e.g. that you are not carrying any prohibited items or medication. 

Important:

• Never leave transit without instruction
• Do not assume visa-free entry applies
• Always follow airline and airport authority’s advice and instructions