Cancel your Asia trip - or go anyway? Here’s what you really need to know
- Roxana Nothaft
- Apr 6
- 6 min read
Travel timing: now · Category: travel planning · Reading time: approx. 8 minutes
“Should we cancel our Asia trip?”
Right now, we’re getting the same question from many travelers: “Should we cancel our Asia trip?”
With the ongoing news about the situation in the Middle East, restricted airspace over Iran, and major flight reductions from Gulf airlines like Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways, it’s completely understandable that people feel uncertain.
But here’s the honest answer: in most cases, no.
The issue usually isn’t your destination — it’s the flight route. And in many cases, that can be worked around.
In this article, you’ll find a clear breakdown of what’s actually happening right now, which routes are still operating, which destinations you might not have considered yet — and what you absolutely need to keep in mind when booking your trip.
What’s actually happening right now and why it matters
The core of the problem:
Many long-haul flights from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to Asia traditionally pass through major Middle Eastern hubs like Dubai with Emirates, Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways, and Doha with Qatar Airways. Due to the current situation surrounding the Iran–Israel conflict, large parts of Iranian and Israeli airspace are currently closed.
This is forcing airlines to reroute:
→ Flights are being diverted north via Azerbaijan
→ Or south via Saudi Arabia and Oman
→ Longer routes mean more fuel and higher operating costs
What this looks like in numbers as of late March 2026:
→ Emirates is currently operating around 70% of its usual flights
→ Etihad is running at roughly 50% capacity
→ Qatar Airways is flying less than 20% of its regular routes
At the same time, flight search platforms are still showing seemingly cheap connections via Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi for the coming weeks. The problem is that it’s often unclear whether these flights will actually operate as scheduled.
Booking via Gulf hubs right now comes with a real risk of last-minute cancellations or rerouting.
Bottom line: Traveling to Asia is still possible. Booking through Gulf hubs is currently risky. The key is choosing alternative routes.
Which flight connections are currently operating reliably
The good news is there are plenty of stable alternatives. Here’s an overview by departure location.
From Frankfurt
→ Lufthansa: nonstop to Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Delhi
Mumbai→ Thai Airways: Bangkok (nonstop)
→ Singapore Airlines: Singapore (nonstop)
→ Vietnam Airlines: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
→ Air China: Beijing, Shanghai
→ China Eastern Airlines: Shanghai
→ China Southern Airlines: Guangzhou
→ All Nippon Airways / Japan Airlines: Tokyo
→ Condor: Bangkok, Phuket, Maldives
→ Asiana Airlines / Korean Air / T'way Air: Seoul
From Munich
→ Lufthansa: nonstop to Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, Delhi
→ Singapore Airlines: Singapore
→ All Nippon Airways: Tokyo
→ Thai Airways: Bangkok
From Zurich
→ Swiss International Air Lines: Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Delhi, Mumbai, Shanghai, Seoul
→ Korean Air: Seoul→ Thai Airways: Bangkok
→ Edelweiss Air: Phuket, Sri Lanka, Maldives
→ Singapore Airlines: Singapore
→ Air India: Delhi, Mumbai
From Vienna
→ Austrian Airlines: Maldives, Bangkok, Shanghai, Tokyo
→ Air India: Delhi
→ Scoot: Singapore
→ EVA Air: Bangkok
→ Air China: Beijing
→ All Nippon Airways: Tokyo
Recommended connecting routes
→ Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, one of the most extensive global networks with strong Asia coverage
→ KLM Royal Dutch Airlines via Amsterdam, a traditionally strong and reliable Asia connection
→ Singapore Airlines via Singapore, ideal for onward travel to Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia
→ Thai Airways via Bangkok, a perfect hub for Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia
→ Air India via Delhi or Mumbai, great for Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal
Hong Kong is currently an underrated gateway into Asia. Cathay Pacific operates multiple daily flights from Frankfurt and Zurich, and from Hong Kong you can easily connect to almost all of Southeast and East Asia.
The destination is usually not the problem
Many travelers are currently equating “Asia” with a single crisis. But the continent is vast, and most popular destinations are geographically and politically far removed from the affected regions.
These countries are currently safe to travel to, and connections are operating reliably:
→ Thailand – stable direct flights from Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, and Vienna
→ Vietnam – direct flights from Frankfurt with Vietnam Airlines, plus connections via Singapore and Bangkok
→ Indonesia (Bali) – easily accessible via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok
→ Japan – multiple nonstop flights daily from Frankfurt and Munich
→ Hong Kong – direct access with Cathay Pacific, an excellent hub
→ Sri Lanka – via Zurich with Edelweiss Air or connections through Delhi or Colombo
→ Maldives – direct flights with Condor from Frankfurt, Austrian Airlines from Vienna, and Edelweiss Air from Zurich
Plan a stopover overnight stay
Sometimes it’s worth intentionally breaking up a longer journey.
A stopover in a city along the way can become a great part of the trip itself and often makes long flights much more comfortable.
Central Asia – the region that’s being rediscovered right now
Here’s a real insider tip: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and the entire Central Asia route are largely unaffected by the current situation.
Flight connections run via Tashkent, Bishkek, and Almaty, completely outside the affected airspace.
What makes Central Asia so special right now:
→ Uzbekistan: Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva feel like something out of One Thousand and One Nights. UNESCO World Heritage sites, very little mass tourism. National Geographic named Khiva one of the 25 top travel destinations for 2026. Starting autumn 2026, a new high-speed train will connect Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and for the first time Khiva directly.
→ Kyrgyzstan: Song-Kul, Kel-Suu, eagle hunters. Real nomadic life at 3,000 meters, turquoise glacier lakes hidden in dramatic canyons, and a culture that hasn’t been staged for tourists. Fewer international visitors in an entire season than the Everest Base Camp sees in a single day.
For many travelers who originally planned Southeast Asia, Central Asia is becoming the most exciting alternative right now. It’s authentic, affordable, and offers direct connections that avoid the Middle East entirely.
Interestingly, the current situation is also pushing many people to rethink their travel plans and discover new regions. Central Asia in particular is moving back into the spotlight.
Are flights to Asia getting more expensive right now?
Yes, the trend is clearly moving upward right now. But not all routes are affected equally.
Why are prices going up?
→ Longer detours mean higher fuel consumption
→ Jet fuel prices have increased
→ Operational disruptions and reduced capacity on some routes
Those who still want to book at a good price should:
→ Prioritize direct flights or stable connections such as Istanbul, Amsterdam, or Singapore
→ Avoid Gulf hub routes not just because of uncertainty, but also due to strong short-term price fluctuations
→ Book early and stay flexible as many routes still offer reasonable fares
Tip: A stopover in Istanbul, Singapore, or Bangkok often makes long flights more comfortable and can even be the most affordable and reliable option.
What applies if you’ve already booked via Gulf hubs?
If you’ve already booked flights via Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi:
→ If you booked directly with the airline: many airlines are currently offering flexible rebooking options. Check directly on their website
→ If you booked through a flight portal: contact the platform and refer to the current situation. Cancellation and rebooking policies can vary
Our conclusion: think flexibly, book smart
Asia remains one of the most fascinating travel regions in the world and is still easily accessible in most cases. The current challenge isn’t the destination, it’s choosing the right route.
Our recommendation:
→ Avoid Gulf hubs like Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways for now
→ Instead, rely on stable alternatives such as nonstop flights or airlines like Turkish Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific
→ Consider Central Asia as a real alternative. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are currently especially easy to book, and the experiences often exceed expectations
Sometimes, situations like this lead travelers to discover destinations they would never have considered and end up having a journey that turns out even more extraordinary than originally planned.
Planning your trip
We’re here to help you
If you’re currently thinking about canceling your trip to Asia, it’s worth taking a closer look at your options first. Many destinations across Asia are still easy to reach. In most cases, the challenge lies more in getting there than in the destination itself.
Before you completely scrap your plans, it can be helpful to review all available options again.
Sometimes, situations like this even lead travelers to discover new regions and end up having a trip that’s more exciting than originally planned.
Whether you’re dreaming of traveling to Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, or Kyrgyzstan, we’ll find a solution together that fits both the current situation and your personal plans.
Comments