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The global travel landscape has been fractured over the past 24 hours. As rapidly escalating conflicts in the Middle East have led to mass evacuation orders, the U.S. Department of State has also issued urgent security updates for very popular tourist destinations in Europe and America.
Overnight, officials issued a massive wave of embassy warnings, triggering everything from sudden cuts in flight capacity to strict shelter-in-place guidelines and demonstration warnings.
If you’re currently abroad or heading to the airport this weekend, here’s the unfiltered, truth-based analysis of what you need to know to safely navigate these global disruptions.
Global Warnings: Europe and America
Before delving into Middle East restrictions, travelers heading to popular international hubs should be aware of imminent security threats, protests and movement bans.
You can now sign up for our live Worldwide Travel Alerts at find your destination here.
- Spain (Barcelona): A large-scale protest is planned directly outside the US Consulate General in Barcelona on March 21 at noon. Expect heavy police presence and massive road closures. Avoid the area completely.
The live Traveler Safety Index for Spain currently stands at 85 and shows a stable environment for visitors.
- Belgium: A severe security reminder is active. Authorities are on high alert ahead of the tenth anniversary of the 2016 terror attacks in Brussels (March 22), exacerbated by a recent explosion outside a synagogue in Liège. Keep a low profile in busy tourist and transit centers.
The live Traveler Safety Index for Belgium currently stands at 75 and indicates an increased risk for visitors.
The live Traveler Safety Index for Cuba currently stands at 68, indicating an increased risk to visitors.
The live Traveler Safety Index for Austria currently stands at 85 and shows a stable environment for visitors.
The live Traveler Safety Index for Bolivia currently stands at 75 and indicates an increased risk to travelers.
The live Traveler Safety Index for Albania currently stands at 84 and shows a very stable environment for visitors.
Travelers are urgently requested to Traveler dashboard daily to see the most recent Warnings from the US EmbassyMinistry of Foreign Affairs Travel advice And real-time safety scores for your destination.
The Middle East: evacuations and flight closures
The majority of nighttime alerts are heavily focused on retrieving civilians and managing severely compromised commercial airspace in the Middle East.
- Israel: The capacity of evacuation flights has been reduced. The maximum number of passengers allowed on widebody flights to the US is now limited to just 130 people (down from 270), resulting in immediate cancellations. If you cross the Taba border into Egypt, you will need to bring exactly $115 in physical cash for the new border fees.
The Traveler Safety Index score for Israel has reached its lowest point 32 because travelers do not feel safe in the country due to active conflicts is the main reason reported.
The Traveler Safety Index for Dubai has recovered slightly from a low of 41 last week, rising again this week to 54. An increased risk to travelers is still seen due to active conflict. Dubai has seen the biggest drop in traveler safety sentiment over the past three weeks, losing more than 36 points.
Strict lockdowns and checkpoints
If you are unable to reach an extraction flight safely, several countries have severe restrictions on movement due to active military threats and retaliation.
Bottlenecks at the land border
With flights grounded across the region, travelers are being forced to follow strict overland routes, causing massive operational changes.
