AMID the chaos of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, several flights to and from Dubai have been cancelled or delayed.

Here we take a look at whether it is safe to travel to the area, which airlines are affected and how flight paths have changed so far.

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Are flights going to and from Dubai?

Flights are still operating to and from Dubai, but with significant disruptions due to the spiralling regional tensions.

Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, is experiencing cancellations and delays.

Airlines cancelling and diverting flights

Several major airlines have been affected:

• Emirates cancelled all flights to and from Iraq, Iran and Jordan between Wednesday, October 2, 2024 and Saturday, October 5.
• Flydubai has also cancelled flights to these destinations.
• Emirates has suspended routes to and from Beirut until Tuesday, October 8, while Flydubai has suspended them until Monday, October 7.
• British Airways, Lufthansa and Swiss Air have diverted flights headed to Dubai and other Middle Eastern destinations.
• Etihad Airways is rerouting flights and warning of likely delays and cancellations.

Safety of travelling to Dubai

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not advise against travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including Dubai.

However, they recommend staying vigilant, stating: “Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in the UAE”.

The FCDO further advises: “Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast”.

They also note that “Military activity in the Red Sea area” poses a security risk, with the “possibility that Travel Advice for nearby countries could change at short notice”.

Changes in flight paths

Flight paths changed significantly on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Here are the diversions which were put in place:

• Many flights avoided airspace over Iran, Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon.
• Airlines diverted flights through alternative routes, which led to longer flight times.
• Traffic became dense over Istanbul, Cairo, and Antalya as flights rerouted to avoid certain areas.
• Some flights took wide arcs to the north and south to avoid affected airspace.
• These diversions added several hours to flight times.

According to FlightRadar, 81 flights were diverted by 16 airlines on October 1, when Iran launched its attack on Israel.

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Additional travel advice

Visitors should remember to respect local laws when travelling in the UAE.

The FCDO advises: “Take care when walking or travelling alone, and use a reputable taxi company, particularly if you are female, and at night. Do not accept lifts from strangers”.

Travellers should also be aware that UAE airports have strict security measures for detecting illegal items, including in transit passengers’ baggage.

Even residual trace amounts of illegal drugs can lead to arrest and imprisonment.

Those flying within the region are strongly advised to check with their airlines for the most up-to-date information and to be prepared for potential last-minute changes or extended delays.

A SEASIDE town in the north of England could be set to benefit from two huge investment projects.

Morecambe in Lancashire was named one of the worst coastal towns in the UK by the Telegraph.

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The report, which was published last year, ranked Morecambe as the 5th worst seaside town in the country, saying it could be “so much more than it is”.

And that could very much be the case, with two huge development projects potentially on the horizon.

The Lancashire-based seaside town was already set to benefit from the arrival of the second incarnation of the Eden Project, which is due to open by 2028.

Developers hope Eden Project Morecambe will be able to replicate the success of the Eden Project in Cornwall.

The huge £100million attraction will feature a “hyper-real forest” with large installations and immersive theatre.

It will have three huge shell-shaped pavilions that will overlook Morecambe Bay and a “Bay Glade” with a well-being landscape and a Natural Observatory for research and education.

There will also be an exhibition area and meeting point for guests named the Bay Hall as well as play areas, restaurants, cafes and a gift shop.

Talks are also underway to regenerate Frontierland – an abandoned theme park in Morecambe that closed in 2000.

The site where Frontierland sits has been left bare for the last 24 years but the local council are hoping to bring it back to its former glory.

According to the BBC, the Frontierland site was discussed at the latest Eden community conversation event, which was hosted by the local authority.

City council officer, Jonathan Noad revealed that around “35 regional and national developers” were coming to the town to discuss the abandoned theme park.

However, Jonathan added that the developers would “need to up-their-gears and put their ideas to us” as they look to start the procurement process.

Lancaster City Council acquired the land in 2021 and invited interested parties to submit development plans for it.

The city council official added: “We’ve also got the rest of central Morecambe to look at.

“Work will also look at Morecambe environments and what the public realm needs to look like to attract visitors.”

The authority hopes a developer will propose an “exciting idea” which can transform the site in the next 18 months.

The Eden Project and the possible redevelopment of Frontierland isn’t the only thing that’s drawing tourists to Morecambe.

Last year, one of the town’s most famous residents, heavyweight boxing champ Tyson Fury, increased the number of visitors to the town, with his Netflix series At Home With the Furys.

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In episode one of the series, Fury explains why he has never moved away from the town, saying the view of the bay, where he can often be seen running, is one of the main attractions.

He said: “I’ve often tampered with the idea of living abroad and living in Monaco and America, but there’s always something that keeps me here in Morecambe Bay.

“I believe it’s probably the sea air calling to me, ‘don’t go! Stay!’

“Every time I jog down the front, I look at the bay and the view and I think, ‘Wow, no matter where I go in the world, I will never get that anywhere else’.”

Before the regeneration takes place, visitors have plenty to see, with places like Happy Mount Park, the Eric Morecambe Statue and The Smugglers Den pub all rated highly on TripAdvisor.

The beach itself receives a lot of praise too, with one reviewer writing: “This bay is beautiful and very extensive so there is plenty of coastline to walk along.

“There were lots of people swimming out into the sea. The beach had large rocks then sand and was full of character. Well worth a visit on a nice day.”

Meanwhile, this seaside town in England – with sandy beaches, donkey rides & the best B&B in the world.

And this other holiday location is getting a huge new tourist attraction.

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A FAMILY of five have visited more than 20 countries in their motorhome, going as far north as Norway and as far south as Turkey.

Known as the Roaming Radfords, Steve and Lyndsay have been holidaying in a motorhome since 2007, when their eldest son Eddie was just a year old.

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The husband and wife team, who live in Milton Keynes, have explored countries like France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, Norway and Morocco.

Even renting an RV on their trip to America so they could explore the country in a motorhome.

Their most recent trip took them to Turkey where they spent six weeks exploring the country with their three sons, Eddie, Harry and George.

The family regularly shares their caravanning tricks, tips and travel videos on their YouTube channel, the Roaming Radfords.

And with more than 17 years of experience, it’s safe to say they know the must-have gadgets every budding caravanner needs.

Steve and Lyndsay told Sun Online Travel: “If you’re planning a holiday to warm countries like Morocco, Spain and Turkey, having aircon is essential.

“I wouldn’t want to go to Morocco or Turkey without aircon, so definitely invest in that.”

It’s not just aircon budding caravanners will need to invest in if they want to enjoy holidaying in warmer countries.

They added: “Most brand-new motorhomes come fitted with 3 Way Fridges, which means they can work on battery, electricity plugin or gas.”

While this may sound ideal, Steve and Lyndsay know from experience that 3 Way Fridges don’t work well in hot weather.

They encouraged holidaymakers to consider upgrading to a compressor fridge because they work better in warmer climates.

Lyndsay said: “Three Way Fridges stop working properly when you reach temperatures like 30C.

“We’ve been woken up in the middle of the night with the smell of rancid chicken because the fridge wasn’t cool enough, so definitely upgrade to a compressor fridge if you can.”

With three teenage sons, and a YouTube Channel, Steve and Lyndsay need to stay connected to the internet while on the road, which is why they have a Starlink.

Starlink is an alternative to traditional broadband, beaming connections via SpaceX satellites.

It’s useful for remote areas left in the slow lane for on-the-ground broadband upgrades.

Steven and Lyndsay said: “Six weeks is a long time to be away from your friends when you’re a teenager, so we made sure to have a Starlink.

“It also enables us to upload our YouTube videos and keep in touch with the business we own back in the UK.”

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Their last recommendation isn’t technically a gadget but for the Roaming Radfords it’s a necessity.

Steve said: “One of my favourite things – and my family laugh at me for this – is a 6ft plastic table.

“Once you pop up the table, you’ve got a lovely big area where everyone can eat and sit.

“It also attracts people, so other holidaymakers can come and enjoy the space.

“Honestly it’s one of my favourite things and one of our best investments.”

Later this month, Steve and Lyndsay will be sharing even more tips at the Motorhome & Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

On October 15, 16 and 17, the couple will also be talking about their caravan adventure through Turkey, which they went on last summer.

Why caravan holidays are so underrated

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CARAVAN park holidays are a British staple.

And with the cost of living crisis wreaking havoc on Britain’s purses, more of us are turning to them for an affordable break.

Josie O’Brien, Senior Digital Writer on Fabulous, weighs in on why she thinks caravan holidays are seriously underrated…

WHEN I was a child, my mum used to collect the £9.50 holiday vouchers in The Sun.

She’d use them to book a couple of nights away at a caravan park during the school holidays.

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As an adult, I fully appreciate the convenience of a humble caravan holiday.

No faffing about with passports, no luggage limits and no bog-standard hotel breakfast of stale toast and grey eggs. 

I still love caravan holidays as an adult.

In a world of doing everything for the ‘gram, a caravan park brings you back to basics.

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There’s no obligation to get dressed up, no stress to fit a million picturesque excursions in one week and I don’t find myself flustered in tourist hot spots like abroad. 

I love going to coastal caravan parks and strolling along the beach parade.

My highlight is always fresh mussels, ice-creams and classic pubs to grab an afternoon tipple in. 

And then, of course, there’s the cost.

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Staying in a caravan is definitely way cheaper than my international trips. 

With no expensive hotel bills and the ability to cook my own meals, I’m spending hundreds less than I would abroad.

I’ve had some of my best and most relaxing holidays in caravans. Maybe I’ll buy my own one day.

Meanwhile, these are the top-rated holiday parks with on-site waterparks and pools.

And this holiday park has been named as one of the best in the country.

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