Iran's attack over the weekend further upended Middle East travel. Plus four other news stories from the last week.
Iran’s attack on Israel over the weekend rattled nerves and upended geopolitical norms. Anytime such seismic news occurs, it inevitably impacts the travel space. Flights were cancelled, travel advisories were issued, and airlines are now scrambling to reroute paths to avoid danger zones. If you’re flying to Asia or Europe this week, make sure to keep an eye on the news.
But other headline are making news, too. These are the top five travel stories you might have missed.
TRAVEL ADVISORIES ISSUED AGAINST MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES
On April 11, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem updated its travel advisory for Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank and reminded U.S. citizens to be cautious. It said, “U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice.” Further restrictions may be imposed without advance notice.
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The U.K., France, India, Russia, and Poland also asked its citizens not travel to middle eastern countries including Israel, Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine due to escalating tensions. Germany asked its citizens to leave Iran. The German authorities warned that citizens may be subjected to arbitrary arrests, interrogations, and long prison sentences.
MULTIPLE FLIGHTS CANCELED AND REROUTED
Another consequence of Iran’s airstrikes on Israel is that airlines are cancelling flights to Iran and changing routes to avoid the airspace. Iran, Israel, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan temporarily closed their airspace, and flights had to be rerouted, adding to the travel time and fuel.
Travel between Asia and Europe may continue to be disrupted. Airlines, including Qantas, Air India, Singapore Airlines and KLM, divertedflights to avoid the volatile region. Experts believe that the continued maneuvering will increase fare prices for travelers.
CANARY ISLAND RESIDENTS ON HUNGER STRIKE AGAINST OVERTOURISM
Overtourism has become a frustration for locals globally. On the Spanish Canary Islands off northwestern Africa, residents are showing their anger by protesting with a hunger strike. Activists are demanding authorities stop tourism development projects, including the construction of a hotel and a resort.
Protests are being organized across the archipelago, a movement that’s called “Canarias Se Agota” (“The Canaries Have Had Enough”). Anti-tourism messages are also painted on several walls across the islands, asking tourists to go home.
The it has a population of 2.2 million, six times as many people (13.9 million) visited the Canary Islands in 2023. Housing costs are also rising and the environment is being stressed.
Related: Spanish City to Tourists: ‘Go Home’
COAST GUARD RESCUED THREE AFTER ‘HELP’ SIGN SPOTTED ON REMOTE BEACH
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three mariners on a remote island in the Pacific, a week after being stranded. The credit goes to the ingenuity of the men who made a HELP sign using palm leaves on the beach which helped a U.S. Navy aircraft to find them.
The men started their journey from Polowat Atoll in the Pacific on Easter Sunday to fish around the waters of Pikelot Atoll. Swells damaged their skiff’s motor, the radio’s battery died. They lived on the uninhabited island for eight days before help arrived after their niece reported them missing.
The rescue crew dropped survival packages after seeing their message, and the next day, the established radio contact. The men—all in their 40s—had access to food and water and were in good health. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry rescued them and their equipment, and brought them home to Polowat Atoll.
WORLD’S FIRST CHARTER SERVICE FOR DOGS COSTS $6,000
Traveling with pets on a commercial airline can be a challenge. But for those who can afford to shell out $6,000 for a one-way ticket, there’s a new airline in the skies. Pet subscription service BarkBox has partnered with a jet service to launch a dog-friendly luxury charter and it’s purrfect for your furry adventures.
You and your pooch can fly between New York and Los Angeles and New York and London in a 10-seater private plane, where Fido will be served dog Champagne (chicken broth). The first flight takes off on May 23, and costs $6,000 for the domestic route and $8,000 to cross the Atlantic.