How To Travel, With Confidence Ahead of A Global Conflict

Global conflicts have been less fatal than the outbreak of World Wars observed in the 20th century. Fewer people have died due to a global conflict. Yet, they still occur in places we may assume are safe. Today, they’re often between domestic groups, competitive political militias, or criminal, international terrorist groups, rather than two hostile countries. However, their repercussions can have a ripple effect.

Examples of global conflicts that affect the travel industry:

1. Warfare and wartime acts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war have made these countries unavailable. Plus, airlines have had to reroute across Eastern Europe due to the closure of the Russian airspace. This has made our airports busier and journeys more complex.

2. Military issues across borders can decrease supplies and staff in the travel and hospitality industries, resulting in a loss of skilled labour and inadequate customer service.

3. Organised crime including extreme violence against police, women, journalists, or migrants, by armed gangs. These crimes encourage accommodation providers to invest more in security. So, surveillance systems and extra staff are paid for to increase our safety. An increase in these operational costs will lead to higher customer costs.

4. Unforeseen violent, political extremist attacks due to political instability or terror may cause local law enforcement to be reactive, causing unexpected injuries to passers-by.

5. Targeted cyber hacks, data hacks, and ransomware organised by small groups or individuals can target airport control towers power plants, and healthcare organisations. These actions can disrupt services that we need in emergencies.

Cyprus

Since 1976, Cyprus has been a divided island. On either side of the ‘Green Line’ (a cease-fire line) tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots remain. To this day, the British government doesn’t acknowledge the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus either. Due to the tension, political demonstrations and arbitrary terrorist attacks can’t be ruled out.

Egypt

South Sinai in Egypt has been impacted by the Israeli war in Gaza politically and economically Egypt is in the middle of a foreign exchange crisis while fighting the effects of high inflation. Security is unstable in the Western Desert, west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta where Israel’s military operations have the potential to push Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula. As a result, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel in the west of Egypt.

Turkey

You may have many reasons to visit Turkey. However, the southeast of the country – 10km from the Syrian border – is highly volatile and should be avoided. Throughout Turkey, there’s a threat of fighting from Kurdistan Workers’ Party militants too. Also, the country is host to over four million refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and Syria.

To find out whether a country is safe to visit, or risks conflict always visit the FCDO website for help and up-to-date travel advice before booking your trip. You can also check out the Crisis Group website or global conflict tracker to view all the countries, which are being monitored across the world.

Cover for travel risks

Free Spirit Travel Insurance provides cover for hijack/kidnap up to £3,000 (£100 per 24 hours). Furthermore, cover for Emergency Medical and Associated Expenses is provided up to a maximum of £10,000,000. Check your specific cover level for the exact amount.

Cover for extended journey disruption

If a global conflict occurs and disrupts your journey a Free Spirit Super Duper Policy will provide cover if the following happens:

• If an airport, port, or airspace you’re travelling from/through is closed for more than 24 hours from the date and time of departure. That causes delayed departure. Or if it’s cancelled and no alternative flight or transport can be provided after 24 hours of delay.
• When a flight is diverted or re-directed after take-off.
• When boarding is denied, and no other suitable alternative flight can be provided within 12 hours.

Cover for cancellation

With a Free Spirit Policy up to £1,000 (Standard), £3,000 (with Super cover), and up to £6,000 (with Super Duper cover) of cover will be provided for cancellation.

Read all the policy documents in full for more details.

Please note: If you choose to visit a destination/area that the FCDO ‘advises against all travel to’, such as Russia there wouldn’t be any cover in place on this policy. Free Spirit will provide the cover highlighted above only if someone unknowingly gets caught up in unrest. If you have questions about our policies and cover levels speak with our friendly team.

Note: Whatever the destination, cover won’t be provided if you want to cancel a trip because you don’t want to travel. This is known as ‘disinclination to travel’.