For many families across Cheshire, the Easter holidays are normally a time when travellers head for warmer destinations.
The Middle East, particularly hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has long been a popular choice thanks to its sunshine, world class hotels and convenient flight connections.
However, the past few weeks have been an unusually complex and worrying time for travel across the region.
As a local travel advisor, much of Sorrel Ashton’s work has involved helping clients navigate changing airline schedules, rerouting journeys and ensuring travellers could return home safely when plans changed unexpectedly.
Over the past couple of weeks alone she has helped 14 clients return to the UK from the Middle East, reorganised 12 clients on to alternative holidays, and assisted eight travellers who were not originally my clients but had found themselves struggling to get home after booking travel arrangements independently.
Sorrel said: “One client I was helping was staying on the Palm in Dubai. During one of the missile strikes debris landed on the balcony of his apartment. His partner was understandably extremely shaken and suffered a panic attack. I was speaking to them almost daily while trying to secure flights home. We managed to get seats relatively quickly, but with cancellations happening across several airlines it was touch and go for a while.
“Another traveller I was supporting had just arrived at the airport and was about to board his flight home when a strike nearby led to the airport being evacuated. Flights were cancelled almost immediately and passengers were sent back into the terminal. Thankfully the airline was able to operate a service later that day and he eventually made it home, but it was a very stressful experience.
“I also got to see a dad be reunited with his daughters on the school run, he was one of my corporate travellers and had been stuck in Dubai for a number of days – I knew he was landing (as I had got him the flight) but he kept it from his family until he picked his kids up from school. This was a really lovely moment!”
While flights are continuing to operate, the situation remains fluid and travellers should take a cautious approach when planning journeys that involve the region.
Transit hubs such as Dubai are gradually reopening
Airlines are beginning to rebuild schedules through major hubs such as Dubai, although some restrictions remain in place, particularly for passengers connecting through the region.
These rules are still evolving and airlines are working through operational changes to ensure travellers can move safely between destinations.
For some travellers, Dubai may still appear as a transit point within their journey rather than the final destination.
Check the flexibility of your travel plans
One of the most important things travellers should do ahead of the Easter holidays is review the flexibility of their booking.
If your holiday has been booked as a protected package, you may have options to amend or reroute your trip depending on the policies of the airline, tour operator or travel provider.
In recent weeks many of Sorrel’s clients have chosen to adjust their plans, moving holidays originally booked for the Middle East to destinations such as Morocco, the Caribbean and other parts of Europe.
This can be a very practical way of preserving a holiday while avoiding areas where travel conditions are currently changing.
Package protection makes a difference
A key lesson from the past few weeks has been the difference between travellers who booked protected packages and those who arranged flights and accommodation separately.
When a trip is booked through a reputable travel company as a package, there are legal protections in place that require the organiser to assist if disruption occurs. This can include organising alternative travel plans or helping travellers get home.
Travellers who had booked independently often found themselves trying to resolve cancellations without that support.
Stay informed and seek expert advice
The travel industry is working hard to stabilise schedules and support passengers, but situations can change quickly.
Travellers planning trips over Easter and beyond should stay informed through official airline updates and, where possible, seek advice from a trusted travel professional who can monitor the situation and recommend the best options.
While travel will continue, flexibility and good planning will be key for anyone travelling during this period.
About the Author
Sorrel Ashton is a luxury travel advisor based in Cheshire and part of the global Travel Counsellors network.
She specialises in tailor made holidays and complex travel planning, helping clients navigate everything from bucket list adventures to unexpected travel disruptions.
Sorrel regularly shares travel advice and behind the scenes insights on Instagram.
