What travelers need to know after US, Israeli attacks on Iran

Travelers have been stranded as far away as Australia, Brazil and the Maldives after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran this weekend. With airspace still closed in the area, getting home could be challenging for at least several days.

Here’s what to know:

About 3,000 flights have been canceled since the conflict in Iran began on Saturday, and Iran’s subsequent strikes continue to affect other parts of the region, according to aviation-data agency Sirius.

Airspace was closed across a large swath of the Middle East, with flights to and from Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs, suspended, Tel Aviv and Doha, Qatar. More than 40 flights were diverted on Saturday morning after the attack prompted the closure of airspace in the region.

That means customers connecting through major hubs in the region are also affected, as are vacationers, business travelers and other fliers stranded around the world.

remains unclear. As of 11:30 am ET, regional airspace closures continue to affect flights. Airlines have to reposition their aircraft, which are spread around the world.

For example, Airbus A380s, the world’s largest passenger planes, operated by Etihad, are based in several cities including London, Paris, Toronto and Singapore. Flightradar24 said on Sunday that four were based in Abu Dhabi. However, Etihad is starting to reposition aircraft at its Abu Dhabi hub, should the airspace be reopened.

Qatar Airways has one A380 at its Doha base, while others are based in Sydney, Bangkok and elsewhere.

Israeli airline El Al has suspended ticket sales and said its priority is to ensure that passengers with tickets return home in the coming weeks.

Airlines have issued exemptions to all affected destinations.

Major carriers are likely to add additional flights once the airspace reopens to accommodate the increase in demand.

The State Department did not immediately comment on its plans, but when the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, special flights were added around the world to get passengers home.

Standard travel insurance policies usually do not cover events that have already occurred or developed, such as a military strike or hurricane. Travelers have to buy an expensive option called “cancel anytime” insurance that allows them to do that.

–CNBC’s Contessa Brewer contributed to this article.