Experiencing a flight cancellation and being stranded in the middle of a journey is every traveler’s nightmare. However, don’t panic yet. You have transit passenger rights that must be fulfilled by the airline. This article will discuss the proper steps to take, starting from claiming compensation, demanding passenger rights when a flight is delayed, to understanding airline policies for pregnant passengers during a crisis.
Why Is Transit in the Middle East Now Risky?
The Middle East region, especially major airports such as Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, serves as a major transit hub between Asia, Europe, and Africa. When geopolitical or military crises intensify, airspace closures are often implemented for safety reasons. The impact is significant—thousands of flights are canceled, and for passengers transiting in Gulf countries, the situation often turns into travel uncertainty.
The First Step When You Realize You’re Stuck at the Airport
Panic is the biggest enemy when facing a crisis situation in a foreign country. If you have just disembarked from your first flight and see that your connecting flight has been canceled on the airport monitor, take the following crucial steps:
Do Not Leave the Air Transit Zone
Never attempt to leave the air transit zone unless officially instructed by airport authorities or airline staff; remain in the transit area. Exiting the immigration area without a valid visa in the transit country can create legal issues that complicate your situation.
Immediately Go to the Airline’s Transfer Desk
Do not waste time. Immediately look for the Transfer Desk of the airline you are flying with. In a crisis situation, queues will grow very long within minutes. The sooner you line up, the faster your rerouting options can be processed.
Ensure Your Device Is Always Connected to the Internet
Relying on slow public airport Wi-Fi used by many passengers can cause you to miss important flight information. Therefore, preparing a travel eSIM from Global Komunika before departure becomes a preventive step. With a stable private connection, you can immediately access the airline’s app to rebook digitally without having to queue for a long time at the airport counter.
Breaking Down Passenger Rights: What Are Airlines Required to Provide?
Many travelers simply resign themselves when flights are canceled due to a military crisis, assuming they must bear all the losses themselves. Indeed, in situations such as war or major conflict, airlines are usually not required to provide monetary compensation.
However, international aviation regulations such as EU261 or the Montreal Convention still require airlines to assist affected passengers, especially transit passengers, for example by providing:
- Food and Beverage Provisions: Airlines are required to provide lunch/dinner meal vouchers and free drinks during the waiting period.
- Communication Access: You are entitled to access to make international phone calls or send emails to inform family members or work colleagues.
- Accommodation: If the delay requires passengers to stay overnight (overnight delay), the airline must provide a free hotel room, complete with shuttle transportation from the airport to the hotel (as long as local immigration regulations allow passengers to leave the airport).
Special Provisions for Passenger Rights in Case of Flight Delays
Sometimes flights are not canceled but instead experience severe delays while waiting for the airspace to become safe again. Knowing your passenger rights when a flight is delayed will greatly help you manage expectations and emergency expenses.
In general, the standard care compensation from airlines will be activated gradually:
- Delay of 2 to 4 Hours: You are entitled to light snacks and drinks.
- Delay of More than 4 Hours: The airline must provide proper meals (restaurant vouchers at the airport) and ensure basic facilities are met.
- Overnight Delay (More than 8–12 Hours): This is the point where the airline must step in to provide hotel accommodation.
If the airline is overwhelmed and unable to provide hotel or meal vouchers directly because thousands of passengers are affected, you are allowed to buy light meals or rent a transit hotel room yourself.
It is very important to keep every physical or digital receipt. These reasonable emergency expenses can later be claimed (reimbursement) from the airline or your travel insurance once the situation stabilizes.
Evacuation Priority and Airline Policies for Vulnerable Groups
In emergency situations when evacuation flight seats or hotel rooms are limited, airlines usually prioritize the most vulnerable passengers. Therefore, immediately report your special condition to airport staff so you can receive assistance faster. The following passenger groups usually receive priority service:
- Pregnant women
- Families traveling with babies
- Unaccompanied minors
- Wheelchair users or passengers with medical needs
- Elderly passengers
They are generally prioritized for access to lounges, hotels, or diversion flights. If you feel exhausted or need medical assistance, do not hesitate to ask airport staff or the airport clinic for help.
Final Step: Contact Your Country’s Representatives
If the situation at the transit airport becomes increasingly chaotic, facilities are running low, and there is still no flight certainty for more than 24 hours, immediately contact the nearest Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) or Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI). The government through Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the obligation to protect Indonesian citizens, including providing emergency assistance, logistical coordination, and helping with evacuation processes from crisis areas.
