Air Canada has expanded its flexible booking policies for customers travelling through areas impacted by the military situation in the Middle East.
The update, posted Sunday afternoon (March 1), extends the airline’s goodwill policy to seven cities.
In addition to Dubai (DXB) and Tel Aviv (TLV), which Air Canada had already issued waivers for, the policy now includes Abu Dhabi (AUH), Beirut (BEY), Amman (AMM), Erbil (EBL), and Dammam (DMM).
Customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than February 28, 2026, for travel to, from or through the above cities, between now and March 15, 2026, can make voluntary changes.
READ MORE: Explosions rock Dubai’s Fairmont The Palm, Burj Al Arab & airports
Passengers who are scheduled to travel during the affected period can retrieve their booking to change their flight, free of charge, to another date between now and March 31, 2026, the airline says.
The change is subject to availability in the cabin originally purchased. Outside of those dates, any fare difference will apply, says Air Canada.
Customers who choose to cancel their flight will receive a full refund.
Finally, if the ticket was purchased with Air Canada Vacations, customers are to contact them directly at 1-800-296-3408.
Crisis in the Middle East
As PAX previously reported, regions in the Middle East are facing a volatile crisis after coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliation, on Saturday (Feb. 28) forced many countries to close their airspaces.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that “major combat operations” in Iran are underway, with the most significant development being the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran.
Iranian retaliatory strikes have reached some tourism-related infrastructure.
As reported, a missile hit a Fairmont hotel, The Palm on Palm Jumeirah island, igniting a fire near the hotel’s entrance.
Debris from intercepted aerial threats also caused fires at the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, one of the emirate’s most recognizable landmarks, and damaged parts of Dubai International Airport.
Dubai Airports confirms that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) are suspended until further notice.
“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time and to contact their respective airlines directly for the latest updates regarding their flights,” Dubai’s Media Office wrote on X.
Falling debris triggered a fire at a berth in Jebel Ali Port, one of the world’s busiest shipping facilities, raising concerns about global supply chain disruptions.
And in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, an incident at Zayed International Airport, resulting from the interception of a drone, left one person dead and seven injured, according to a statement posted by the airport on X.
Updates from Global Affairs Canada
Global Affairs Canada has issued a notice to travellers, saying “the security situation in the Middle East could deteriorate significantly without notice.”
“There is ongoing military activity in the region,” the department wrote. “Be prepared to shelter in place if instructed by local authorities and monitor media to stay informed.”
Canadian citizens and permanent residents in the Middle east needing emergency assistance can are being advised to contact me-mo.sos@international.gc.ca.
The Canadian government is currently advising citizens to void all travel to Israel, Lebanon, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Iraq, and to avoid all non-essential travel to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Canada backs U.S. actions
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Saturday that Canada supports the United States taking action to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, describing Iran as “the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East” and pointing to its human rights record.
Speaking in Mumbai, where he is leading a trade delegation, Carney also urged Canadians in Iran to shelter in place.
“Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security,” he said, as reported by Politico.
Carney said he does not expect Canada to become involved in the escalating situation.
“We have not been party to the military buildup to this, or the military planning of this. So it is not envisioned that we would be part of it moving forward,” he said.
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