Massive flight cancellations in the Middle East and tourist assistance. The main thing

The authorities of Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the UAE have introduced support measures for tourists who cannot leave the country due to the massive cancellation of flights amid the conflict in the Middle East. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Visa benefits and extension of terms

The Sri Lankan government has announced a temporary free extension of visas for foreigners. According to the Association of Tour Operators (ATOR), tourists whose flights were canceled due to military operations in the Middle East can stay on the island for another 14 days. The extension will be automatic, without penalties and sanctions. The authorities clarified that Middle Eastern carriers canceled more than 115 flights in this direction.

Indonesia has taken similar measures. The immigration service at the Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali reported that passengers can obtain permission to stay for up to 30 days due to forced circumstances. You can apply for the document directly at the airport or the local office of the department.

"Passengers affected by flight cancellations may be granted permission to stay for up to 30 days due to forced circumstances," the immigration service said.

Tourist accommodation in Dubai

In Dubai, the Department of Economy and Tourism has sent instructions to hotels recommending that they extend their stay to guests who cannot fly out of the country. The Emirati authorities called on hotels to maintain the same booking conditions and not to evict guests. At the same time, trial lawyer Ilya Vasilchuk noted in a conversation with Izvestia that in Dubai, unlike Abu Dhabi and Ras al Khaimah, these instructions are advisory in nature and do not have a mandatory mechanism for compensating hotels from the state.

The Russian Consulate General in Dubai has warned that airlines and tour operators are unlikely to be able to pay for accommodation en masse, citing force majeure. Diplomats recommended that citizens pay for their own housing for at least a week or move to budget hotels. In case of lack of funds, Russians were offered to contact the consulate to find volunteers or hotels with the possibility of post-payment.

Resumption of flights

The process of passenger removal is gradually stabilizing. On March 2, the first passenger planes in two days took off from Abu Dhabi and the capital of Oman to Moscow. The first flight from the UAE was operated by Etihad Airways on board a Boeing 787, picking up passengers who were unable to leave on February 28. Check-in for 10 more flights has also begun at Abu Dhabi Airport, and tourists are being bussed to the terminals.

According to Kristina Tancyura, head of the Committee of the Association of Exporters and Importers, the airline is responsible for solving passengers' problems during flight delays.

"For travelers who were already in the departure area at the time of the closure of the airspace, carriers are required to provide accommodation and meals. Those whose flights were canceled or rescheduled are offered free transfer to other dates, including without penalties for non—refundable fares," the expert summed up in a conversation with Izvestia.

Tourists' rights and refunds

Against the background of the aggravation of the situation, some tourists are trying to cancel their planned trips. Sofya Lukinova, head of the legal department of VMT Consult, explained to Izvestia that at the moment there have been no official recommendations from the Russian Foreign Ministry to refrain from traveling to the UAE. In this regard, tour operators consider refusals as a client's initiative and withhold the actual costs incurred. The lawyer recommends considering the option of postponing dates or making a deposit.

Vladimir Masyutin, the founder of the Russian Seasons hotel group, recommended temporarily refraining from trips to Israel and Jordan. According to him, the risks may also apply to the Persian Gulf countries due to the presence of foreign military infrastructure there, he told Izvestia. The countries of Southeast Asia, Morocco or Tunisia are offered as an alternative for recreation.

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