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For anyone looking to book a holiday, travel expert Simon Calder has issued a 'don't book just yet' warning.

Since the Middle East conflict erupted in late February, air travel has been severely disrupted. There have been major airspace closures affecting major hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, while flights that would usually travel through the Middle East have been cancelled or suspended.

Amid the US-Iran conflict, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has continuously updated its travel advice for Brits, including travel to the Middle East. As it stands, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, while advising against all but essential travel to parts of Egypt.

While many flights remain cancelled, some airlines have revised their schedule, particularly after the reopening of some key airspaces. It's also hoped that there could be a sense of air travel recovery following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, 7 April.

However, as travel disruptions remain in place, they can understandably cause confusion among holidaymakers about whether to book their trip. One question that has been raised is whether you can book a flight to Thailand that transits through the Middle East.

In a bid to help Brits, travel expert and journalist Simon Calder answered the question for The Independent, issuing a stark warning.

The question read: "What do you reckon about booking flights for June which transit through the Middle East? I'm flying from Bangkok to Europe for a summer break. There are cheap flights going via Qatar or Bahrain."

In response, Simon explained: "While I have a record of being over-optimistic on a range of travel issues, I would happily book via either nation. Qatar Airways of Doha, and Gulf Air, based in Bahrain, are both excellent carriers who will be desperate to get passengers back on board." He also suggested "widening the search" to include Emirates via Dubai and Etihad via Abu Dhabi.

The travel expert noted that if a deal is made to end the "attacks on Iran and retaliation against Gulf states", the Foreign Office could "lift its warning against travel to Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE". At the time of writing, the FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE.

Simon added: "It will not be possible for the airlines to suddenly flick a switch and resume 100 per cent operations, but any routes that they are currently selling can, I think, be considered firm commitments. Bangkok is a key point of origin and destination for all the Middle East airlines."

However, he also pointed out that it might be best to wait until booking a flight, as airlines could significantly reduce fares to get passengers back on board after cancellations and disruptions. He explained: "I would not, though, book just yet. Once the skies fully reopen, a key driver to get people back on board the planes will be to cut fares. That applies especially for close-in dates (including June), to avoid the ignominy of flying empty aircraft around."

If you already have a holiday booked and your flight is cancelled due to the Middle East conflict, the airline or travel provider will get in touch directly, and you will be eligible for a refund or a replacement flight. The Travel Association (ABTA) states: "If your flight is cancelled and you're departing from the UK, your airline must offer you the choice of a replacement flight at the earliest opportunity or a refund."

ABTA added: "People will have different rights depending on what they have booked and who they have booked with, including if they have booked a package holiday, are travelling with a UK or EU airline, or are with a non-UK/EU airline."

It's vital to check for any travel advice before booking a holiday, even if your trip is already booked. You can check the latest travel advice on theForeign Office website.

It's also important to note that if you travel to a country where the FCDO advises against travel, your travel insurance may not be valid. Some insurance companies refer to the FCDO travel advice in their policies. For more information, visit the Foreign Office website.

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