HOT TOPIC - HOW THE WAR IN UKRAINE IS AFFECTING TRAVEL

Here's all you need to know about how the war in Ukraine has redrawn the travel map, from international flight routes to regional trips.

- Sarah Barrell

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, flight routes have been modified and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is advising against visiting much of the region. From airspace blockades to cancelled trips, here’s how the ongoing conflict is impacting travellers.

Where’s out of bounds? The FCDO currently advises against all travel to Russia and Ukraine. There’s also an advisory in place against travel to Belarus and the Transnistria region in Moldova. Most travel insurance policies will no longer be valid for these countries.

How has air travel been affected? Airlines must refund customers for flights to countries in the region ruled out by the FCDO. Russia has banned UK airlines from entering its airspace, and the Civil Aviation Authority’s instructions to avoid Ukrainian air space has added to extended flight times from the UK to the Far East. Both Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are warning of increased journey times to destinations such as India, Thailand and Singapore. This, plus a rise in jet fuel prices, is expected to cause an increase in airfares, although carriers including Ryanair and EasyJet have hedged fuel supplies or locked in prices for the summer.