Given the recent escalation of the military situation in the Middle East, employers operating in the region are encouraged to review and implement reasonable precautionary measures aimed at safeguarding employees, maintaining business continuity, and ensuring effective communication during this period of regional tension.
All measures should remain proportionate and aligned with official government guidance.
Recommended Measures
Business Continuity
Employers should review and activate business continuity and contingency plans where necessary, ensuring that critical business functions can continue, including through remote working arrangements if required.
Communication
Employers should maintain clear communication channels with employees, designate a central coordination point, and share updates through official corporate communication channels.
Dedicated communication groups (such as WhatsApp or internal messaging platforms) may be established to facilitate real-time information sharing.
Access To Financial Resources
Employers should ensure employees have access to financial resources, particularly in case of temporary disruptions to banking services.
Employees may wish to maintain multiple payment options and limited access to cash, as certain banking platforms in the region have experienced operational disruptions.
Travel Monitoring
Employers should monitor airport and airline updates and review non-essential travel plans.
At present, evacuation measures are not considered necessary, although flight schedules may change depending on airspace conditions.
Please refer to the section at the end of the document.
Employee Well-Being
Employers are encouraged to support staff through Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) or other well-being initiatives where available, providing access to confidential counseling or support services if required.
For further information about EAP services, please address to your contact at Associated.
Travel Precautions
Employees traveling should:
• verify flight status before traveling to the airport
• monitor updates from airlines and airport authorities
• allow additional time for possible travel disruptions.
Basic Preparedness
Employees may wish to keep accessible:
• identification documents
• essential medications
• mobile phone and charger
• power bank
• alternative payment methods.
Current Evacuation Situation
The escalation of the regional conflict since 28 February 2026 has prompted several countries to organize repatriation and evacuation assistance for their nationals in the Middle East. Governments including Canada, the United States, and several European countries are arranging charter and limited commercial flights from major regional hubs. These efforts primarily focus on tourists, vulnerable individuals, and non-essential diplomatic staff. However, large-scale evacuations from Gulf countries have not been ordered, and departures remain mostly voluntary. Travel conditions remain subject to change due to airspace restrictions and flight disruptions, with airports such as Beirut continuing to serve as key exit points.
Airports Situation
Our recommendation for the following countries: UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Eastern region of Saudi Arabia is to avoid traveling because of the debris and fragments of destroyed missiles over airports.
Travelers out of Beirut Airport should consult media about which roads are safe to get to airport.
Airports Currently Closed Or With Operations Suspended
These airports have experienced full closures or near-complete suspension of commercial flights at various points during the crisis.
Qatar
Hamad International Airport – Doha (DOH) – airspace closure forced flight suspensions; reopening only gradually.
Kuwait
Kuwait International Airport (KWI) – operations halted after airspace closures and reported drone strikes.
Bahrain
Bahrain International Airport (BAH) – flights suspended due to airspace closure.
Airports Open But With Limited Operations
These airports may be open but operating only restricted or emergency flights.
United Arab Emirates
Dubai (DXB) – limited departures and repatriation flights only.
Abu Dhabi (AUH) – select flights operating under strict conditions.
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh (RUH) – King Khalid International Airport (RUH)
Dammam (DMM) King Fahd International Airport
Flights continue but many airlines reroute or reduce schedules due to regional airspace restrictions.
Airports Mostly Operating Normally (but with cancellations)
These airports are generally open but experiencing many cancellations and rerouting:
Oman (important diversion hub)
Muscat International Airport (MCT) – functioning as an alternate route for some flights leaving the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah – King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
Flights continue but many airlines reroute or reduce schedules due to regional airspace restrictions.
Jordan
Queen Alia International Airport – Amman (AMM)
Lebanon
Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY)
Flights still depart, but many international airlines have suspended or reduced routes.
