Middle East security situation

Important Update

The New Zealand Government has announced it will send further consular surge teams to the Middle East and will pre-deploy two New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) planes so that they can be ready, when conditions allow, to assist with any civilian evacuation options.  It will take some days for arrangements to be put in place, and we cannot guarantee we will be able to provide assisted departures in all locations. NZDF aircraft will not be providing direct flights to New Zealand. Any civilian evacuation operation would be to a location in the wider region where you will need to arrange your onward commercial travel. 

New Zealanders in the Middle East need to:

• make sure their travel documents are up to date to and in their possession
• ensure passport details are accurately recorded in SafeTravel, including passport number, date of birth, gender, place of birth, and New Zealand visa status.

We recognise that many New Zealanders will be in locations where it is still not possible or safe to depart. Our advice to these travellers remains to depart the region as soon as it is safe to do, using commercial airlines as services slowly resume in some countries. Please contact the airline or travel provider to confirm the status on flights before departure and before departing to the airport.  Look at options for alternative routes, if the most direct route is not available.  

The Ministry’s Emergency Crisis Centre continues to explore all options for how we can support New Zealanders who have been impacted by this conflict. 

New Zealanders in affected areas should follow the advice of local authorities, including any 'shelter in place' advisories. If you require urgent consular assistance, please contact the New Zealand 24/7 Consular Emergency Line on +64 99 20 20 20.

Current flight information

Commercial flight availability out of the region continues to change rapidly, all travellers should monitor availability with their airline and travel agent directly.

Important: As of 12pm 6 March, NZT, we are aware of some scheduled flights departing from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Auckland International Airport (AKL) and Christchurch International Airport (CHC) today, 6 March (UAE time).

This is a scheduled service restoration, not one-off flights.

06 March 2026 | EK448 DXB to AKL:

EK448 service operating on 06 March from DXB to AKL has a scheduled departure of 10:05AM (UAE time).

06 March 2026 | EK412 DXB  - SYD - CHC:

EK412 service operating on 06 March from DXB to Sydney International Airport (SYD) then onward to CHC has a scheduled departure of 10:15AM (UAE time).

New Zealanders in the United Arab Emirates also have the option of transiting via Australia on their way home.

All airlines and airports continue to stress that passengers should not proceed to the airport unless their airline has confirmed their specific flight is operating.

Travel advice updates

You should closely monitor developments if you are in a Middle East location where we advise Do not travel (Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates). You should leave as soon as it is safe and possible to do so. For a number of locations, we recognise this is not currently possible. You should shelter in place if you are concerned about your safety.   

Volatility in the region means that further changes to our travel advice could happen at any time. This may affect your travel insurance coverage. If you are concerned about the situation, you should speak with your travel agent or insurer.

If you are travelling to or are currently in the Middle East region, be sure to register your travel through our registration portal. We will share important updates on the situation with registered New Zealanders.

Impacts on travel

Many New Zealanders are being impacted by the unpredictability of the current security situation. Aviation authorities across the Middle East continue to maintain closures or restrictions on their national airspace to civilian flights.

Given airspace across most of the Middle East is currently closed, the quickest way for New Zealanders to return home will be on commercial flights, once they resume. This is an evolving situation, and information quickly becomes out of date. New Zealanders should check directly with their airline and travel agent for the latest status.

The disruption now extends well beyond the region. Airlines that normally transit Middle East airspace to connect Europe and Asia face significantly longer routes and higher fuel costs, compounded by Russian and Ukrainian airspace also being closed to most carriers.

If you are in a location where the airspace remains closed and the security situation means that it is unsafe for you to leave, we continue to advise that you shelter in place and follow the advice of local authorities at all times.

The ongoing suspension of airspace and airline services across the Middle East continues to impact New Zealanders in the region, as well as those who would ordinarily transit through Gulf hubs on their way to or from New Zealand. 

Current flight information is provided above, but this can change without notice. This reinforces the need to stay in regular contact with your airline and travel agent to monitor your flight status.

The New Zealand Government is continuing to seek urgent updates from airlines in the UAE and Qatar to confirm when flights to NZ will restart.

All airlines and airports continue to stress that passengers should not proceed to the airport unless their airline has confirmed their specific flight is operating. This reinforces the need to stay in regular contact with your airline and travel agent.

If you are travelling through the Middle East, you may be unable to leave if conflict escalates further. In addition to current airspace closures, road borders may close at any point and reopened airspace may close with little warning. 

Be prepared to shelter in place if you are close to conflict zones. This includes ensuring you have sufficient food and water, torches and batteries, as well as any medications you are taking. Make sure you have a sufficient supply of any daily medicines you may be taking. Closely monitor developments via local authorities, media and other networks.

We recommend you read our travel advice for any destinations you are travelling to or through. If you have concerns for your safety, or you're unsure about your intended travel plans, consider making alternative arrangements.

What you should do

Before you go

• All New Zealanders travelling overseas should take out comprehensive travel insurance. 
• Check your travel insurance provider's policy on flight delays, cancellations, and what it means for you if our travel advice levels change. You should also check if there are any exclusions to your travel insurance coverage due to the regional conflict. 
• Contact your airline or travel provider to confirm the status of your flights before departure and before you depart for the airport.
• Research your travel destinations. Read our country advisory pages, and register on SafeTravel to make sure you receive updates about your destination. This is the primary way the New Zealand Government communicates with you during an emergency. 
• Read about our travel advice levels. 
• Keep up to date with local news and the current situation in the destination you plan on travelling to.  

While you're travelling

• Stay alert to any possible threats, particularly in public places and at large gatherings. 
• Monitor local and international news for new threats. 
• Follow the advice of local authorities at all times, including shelter in place orders. 

We recommend New Zealanders avoid the following locations in the Middle East which could be targeted in future military strikes: 

• Government Buildings
• Military sites and facilities 
• Energy Infrastructure including oil production facilities 
• US Embassies and Consulates. 

Consular assistance

If you require consular assistance, please contact the New Zealand 24/7 Consular Emergency Line on +64 99 20 20 20.