BANGKOK, THAILAND – Airspace closures over parts of the Middle East after coordinated strikes on Iran left tens of thousands of Thailand‑bound travelers stranded and scrambling for solutions.
Why Thailand-bound travelers felt the Middle East conflict immediately
On the early morning of 28 February 2026, Israel and the United States attacked Iran. In the hours that followed, airspace over Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and at times the United Arab Emirates was closed.
This brought the hubs Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha – key junctions between Thailand and Europe – to a standstill. A large share of routes between Thailand and Germany, Austria or Switzerland normally ran via the Gulf states.
Emirates connected via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha and Etihad via Abu Dhabi, while Lufthansa and Swiss used the same hubs as stopovers. Some flights were rerouted over Central Asia, extending travel times by up to two hours, but many connecting flights via Dubai or Doha were simply cancelled.
For affected passengers, the applicable rights depended on the booked airline and the point of departure.
What EU air passenger rules required – and their limits
Travelers who flew with an EU airline or departed from a European airport fell under EU Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. Under this rule, airlines had to offer a choice after a cancellation: free rebooking on the next available flight or a full ticket refund, for both outbound and return legs.
Flat compensation of up to 600 euros per person was a separate issue. In cases of acts of war and airspace closures ordered by authorities, these were deemed “extraordinary circumstances”, so airlines such as Lufthansa did not have to pay that compensation.
Passengers travelling with Emirates or Thai Airways on non‑EU routes were outside this regulation. Their rights were defined by other legal frameworks and the airlines’ own policies.
Hotel, meals, transfers: Care duties even in force majeure
The law still obliged airlines to provide care even in extraordinary circumstances, as long as the EU regulation applied. This meant they had to cover hotels, meals and transfers between the airport and accommodation, even when cash compensation was not due.
This obligation was not goodwill but a legal duty. Affected travelers were advised to obtain written confirmation of the cancellation and to keep receipts for all expenses.
Those offered travel vouchers were warned not to sign immediately, as this could waive the right to cash refunds. The same caution applied with non‑EU airlines: passengers were urged to keep documentation and avoid signing anything prematurely.
No EU rules, still some rights: What applied on Emirates, Thai Airways and others
Passengers flying with a non‑European airline on routes outside the EU had to rely on different instruments. The Montreal Convention set the basic framework for international air passenger rights but left more room for airline-specific rules.
In these cases, the decisive factor was the traveler’s own insurance. Many standard policies excluded acts of war, so checking the exact wording of coverage conditions was essential.
Those holding comprehensive travel health and emergency insurance for Thailand were advised to call the emergency number listed on their policy. All costs for hotels, food and communication were to be documented with receipts.
Immediate steps after a flight cancellation
Travelers were urged to act in three steps after learning of a cancellation. First, they should contact the airline directly and request written confirmation of the cancellation.
Second, they were told to demand either rebooking on the next possible flight or a full refund, depending on which option was more advantageous. Third, they needed to document all expenses for accommodation, meals and transport with receipts.
Those booking a hotel at their own expense were advised to seek written cost approval from the airline in advance, preferably by email. All communication was to be kept in writing, and verbal promises were not to be relied upon.
Passengers who were pushed toward vouchers were told to refuse and insist on cash payment or a bank transfer.
Visas running out: How to deal with Thai immigration
German, Austrian and Swiss citizens could stay in Thailand visa‑free for 60 days, extendable once by 30 days, for a maximum of 90 days. Anyone unable to leave because of flight cancellations and approaching the end of their permitted stay needed to take action.
Thailand had no automatic legal exception for force majeure in such cases. In practice, however, immigration authorities had shown some discretion in exceptional situations, most recently during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Those who proactively contacted immigration and documented their situation were in a stronger position than those who waited. Explaining the circumstances and providing evidence was key.
Avoiding overstay: When and how to visit immigration
Travelers were urged to visit the immigration office before their permission to stay expired, not afterwards. They were asked to bring their passport, the airline’s written cancellation confirmation and proof of their new booking status.
Officials could then be calmly informed why departure had not been possible. This increased the chances of a pragmatic solution.
An overstay in Thailand cost 500 baht per day, capped at 20,000 baht. More serious than the fine was a possible entry ban for unjustified overstays.
Those who went to immigration in time, documented their case and showed they were not at fault for the delay were considered to have strong arguments in their favour.
How to reach Lufthansa, Thai Airways and Emirates
Lufthansa could be reached on +49 69 86 799 799 and via www.lufthansa.com, and offered free rebookings to affected passengers. Thai Airways operated a service centre in Bangkok on +66 (0)2 356 1111 and via www.thaiairways.com.
Emirates was available on +971 600 555 555 or through www.emirates.com. For all airlines, passengers were urged to communicate in writing, secure confirmations and avoid signing vouchers without careful review.
Those wanting to bypass long call‑centre queues were advised to try airline desks at the airport. Rebookings could often be processed more quickly there than by phone.
Key contacts in Thailand: Embassies, immigration, tourist police
The German Embassy in Bangkok was reachable around the clock for emergencies on +66 (0)2 287 9000 at 9 South Sathorn Road. The Austrian emergency service could be contacted on +66 (0)81 903 6516, and the Swiss Embassy on +66 (0)2 674 6900.
Thailand’s tourist police were available nationwide 24 hours a day under the number 1155. The main immigration office in Bangkok was located in the Government Complex on Chaengwattana Road, telephone +66 (0)2 141 9889, and opened Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 16:30.
Immigration in Pattaya could be reached on +66 (0)38 252 750, while the Phuket office answered on +66 (0)76 221 905. Travelers uncertain about regional office hours were advised to call ahead.
How long closures might last – and what to plan now
At the time, it was unclear how long the airspace restrictions would remain in place. A comparable Israeli‑American strike on Iran in June 2025 had lasted twelve days, after which flight routes gradually normalised, but this was not considered a reliable guide.
Travelers were advised to check their booking status with their airline every day and avoid cancelling hotel reservations prematurely. Those with flexibility were encouraged to look at alternative routes, for example via India or Turkey.
The situation was changing by the hour. Official advisories from the German Foreign Office at www.auswaertiges-amt.de were described as the most reliable source for current guidance.