Middle East Airspace Updates: What This Means for Pet Travel

Updated 27th April 2026:

Latest Update – Airspace Conditions Improving, Pet Travel Still Recovering

Airspace is reopening, but pet travel to some destinations remains more limited than usual. Availability is improving gradually – please contact our team early to explore your options. Airspace across parts of the Middle East is beginning to reopen, and we are seeing gradual improvements in passenger flight schedules. However, pet travel is recovering more slowly than passenger travel. Transporting pets by air involves additional planning, welfare checks, and specialist handling at every stage of the journey. Even as passenger flights resume, airlines are still working through a backlog of live animal bookings, alongside reduced cargo capacity and operational adjustments. This means that:

• Some routes may still have limited availability for pets
• Transit options remain restricted in certain regions
• Flight schedules for pet travel may take longer to stabilise

Our team is actively working with airline partners to secure the safest and most appropriate routes for each pet, and we are continuing to monitor changes daily. What this means for you

• If your pet is already booked to travel, we will contact you directly if anything changes
• If you are planning a move, we recommend getting in touch as early as possible so we can guide you through current options
• If your plans are flexible, we can help identify alternative routes or timings where appropriate

Reassurance While timings may be affected, pet welfare and safety remain the priority. Every journey is carefully planned to ensure pets travel comfortably and securely, even in a changing aviation environment. We understand how important it is to have clear, up-to-date information during this time. This page will continue to be updated as the situation evolves.

Why travelling sooner may sometimes be beneficial

When major aviation routes reopen after disruption, airlines often face a backlog of delayed cargo shipments and limited cargo space. At the same time, fuel prices and operational costs may remain elevated for a period.  For certain destinations, quarantine facilities and arrival bookings can also become heavily booked once travel begins to return to normal. If blood tests, vaccinations or parasitic control are required within timeframes, these time periods may lapse and they will need to be restarted, resulted in further delay.  For these reasons, customers who are able to travel using available alternative routes may find that proceeding sooner can help avoid future delays or additional preparation requirements.  Our team can guide each client through the available options so they can make an informed decision about what works best for their pet and their relocation plans. 

Our approach 

Our priority remains the safety and welfare of every pet entrusted to us.  We continue to monitor airline operations daily and work directly with cargo teams, international handlers and veterinary partners to identify safe travel solutions as the situation evolves.  If a client’s travel plans are affected, we will contact them directly with updated guidance and available options.

Are flights currently cancelled in the Middle East?

Some airspace across the region has been temporarily restricted. This has resulted in:

• Flight rerouting
• Short notice cancellations
• Delays at major hub airports
• Increased pressure on airline schedules

Airlines are continually adjusting routes to prioritise safety. In many cases, flights are operating via alternative air corridors. In some cases flights are taking longer routes or making technical fuel stops in order to avoid restricted airspace. This is a dynamic situation and changes can happen quickly.

I am due to travel soon. What should I do?

If your pet is scheduled to travel in the coming days or weeks:

• You do not need to contact us immediately.
• If you’re directly affected you’ll be contacted by our team as soon as we receive confirmed airline updates.
• We are actively monitoring routing changes, airport status and airline communications.

If a flight is cancelled or rerouted, we will:

• Liaise directly with the airline
• Secure the next safest available routing
• Keep you informed at every stage

Your pet’s safety remains the priority in every decision.

Why routes and costs may sometimes change

During periods of aviation disruption, airlines sometimes need to operate longer routes or use alternative transit airports to avoid restricted airspace.  For live animal transport this can involve additional logistics such as different aircraft, approved transit facilities, or extra ground handling requirements. These adjustments help ensure pets continue to travel safely and in full compliance with international animal welfare regulations.  Where changes are necessary, our team works directly with airline cargo departments to secure the safest available routing for your pet. 

Will this affect relocations planned for later this year?

At this stage, it is too early to predict long term disruption. Historically, temporary airspace restrictions are resolved through:

• Alternative airline routing
• Schedule adjustments
• Short term capacity changes

Relocations that are several months away are less likely to be directly affected than immediate departures, although airline routes and transit airports may change while the situation stabilises.

If you are relocating in three to six months, it is important to continue planning as normal.

Pet relocation involves preparation timelines, documentation, veterinary checks and in some destinations, blood tests or quarantine booking windows. Delaying preparation can create more complications than short term airspace changes.

Planning a relocation with your pet?

If you are planning to relocate with your pet later this year, now is still the best time to begin your research and preparation. International pet travel involves several stages including veterinary documentation, airline approvals and destination entry requirements. These timelines often start months before a pet actually flies. Requesting a quote now does not commit you to travel. It simply allows you to understand: • preparation timelines for your destination • likely travel routes and airline options • documentation and veterinary requirements • realistic costs for relocating your pet During periods of global travel disruption, forward planning can actually give you more flexibility. If airline routes change closer to departure, preparation completed early gives us more options to adapt safely. If you are considering relocating with your pet, you can request a quote here and our team will guide you through the process.

Is it safe to relocate to the UAE or other affected areas?

This is one of the most common questions being searched online. Airspace restrictions do not automatically mean a country is unsafe to live in. They often reflect precautionary aviation measures rather than on the ground instability. Corporate relocations, military postings and international school placements typically continue unless governments issue formal advisories. We recommend:

• Monitoring official UK government travel advice
• Speaking to your employer or relocation advisor
• Continuing logistical preparation for your pet

PetAir does not make geopolitical predictions. What we can do is ensure that whenever your pet travels, the routing is compliant, safe and carefully managed.

What happens if the situation escalates?

If disruption increases:

• Airlines will suspend routes before operating unsafely
• We will not move pets into restricted airspace
• Clients will be contacted directly with alternative options

We plan around uncertainty every day. Weather, industrial action and airline schedule changes are already built into how we operate. Geopolitical changes are handled in the same structured way.

How PetAir is supporting clients right now

• Continuous monitoring of airline routing and airspace notices
• Direct communication with airline cargo teams
• Flexible rebooking where required
• Clear client updates

Our role is to absorb operational complexity, so you don’t have to.

If you are relocating in the next 3 to 12 months

Continue your research. Continue planning. Continue preparing. Pet relocation is a process, not a last-minute booking. If you are:

• Moving for work
• Returning to the UK
• Starting a new role abroad
• Joining family overseas

Now is the time to understand your preparation pathway.