Vitality Travel Advisory: Middle East Airspace Closure & Flight Disruptions
We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East, and its impact on travel plans, including the cancellation or rerouting of many international flights.
Your safety and travel certainty are our priority. Please review the important information below if you have upcoming travel that may be affected.
Update as of June 2026
What Vitality Travel Members Should Do
1. Check your flight booking regularly
Airlines are updating flight schedules frequently. Please check:
- Your airline's website or mobile app
- Alerts via SMS or email
2. Do not go to the airport without reconfirming your flight
- Last minute cancellations and rerouting are occurring.
- Please confirm your flight status on the day of departure.
3. Keep your contact details updated
Airlines may communicate urgent updates directly to you. Ensure your mobile number and email are correct on your booking profile
Flexibility for those concerned about their Emirates flight plans in the coming weeks
- Emirates is offering flexible rebooking options for affected customers, including changes to travel dates subject to fare conditions and availability.
- Customers who booked from 2 April may be eligible for ONE complimentary date change, subject to fare conditions and availability.
- Refunds may be available for affected bookings, subject to airline policies and eligibility.
- For the latest official updates, please refer to the Emirates Travel Updates page: https://www.emirates.com/za/english/help/travel-updates/.
- In addition, we will continue to support affected clients with fee waivers aligned to airline policies, where applicable.
- The 6-week booking rule may be waived for affected rebookings.
Travel Insurance: Important Information for Vitality Travel Clients
All clients who book flights through Vitality Travel (Discovery Bank) automatically receive Discovery Travel Insurance.
Travel Insurance
- The cancellation, curtailment, and postponement benefit provides cover for specified perils or listed events as outlined in the policy wording for Gold and Plat cards and Black and Purple cards.
- The policy will reimburse irrecoverable costs only where the cancellation of travel is directly attributable to one of the defined insured events.
- War or the outbreak of war is not listed as a covered event under this benefit, and therefore no cover will be provided in such circumstances.
- Please contact your airline directly, as many have been accommodating cancellations to date.
We're here to help
Travel disruptions can be stressful, and we are committed to supporting all Vitality Travel clients during this period.
If you need assistance, please reach out via the Discovery Bank app or our customer service channels.
Thank you for your understanding, patience, and cooperation.
Your Vitality Travel team
Our support team is available Monday to Friday, 08h30 - 17h00.
For after-hours emergencies:
If your booking is before 12 pm the next working day, you can get after-hours help by calling us on:
Emergency Call Centre (ECC)
Vitality Travel | Regional Airspace Closures FAQs
Please scroll here to view more categories