By Christine Connolley, Senior Program Manager, Global Crisis Management
What’s happening now
Today’s flight maps look oddly lopsided – and there’s a reason. Airlines are giving entire swaths of airspace a hard pass, think Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and beyond. Why? Because history has taught us that conflict zones and commercial aviation don’t mix well.
This mass rerouting isn’t just a regional inconvenience, it can create global disruption. Flights become longer, air traffic is squeezed into narrower corridors, and operational complexity increases fast. That means more delays, rising fuel costs, and heightened logistical headaches for everyone involved.
Airports in places like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi are still operating, but they’re feeling the strain. More flights are being funneled through already-busy hubs, stressing air traffic control and infrastructure. This is where delays pile up, connections are missed, and customer service queues become quite long.
For travelers, this could result in delays, reroutes, last-minute cancellations, they’re all more likely when regions as pivotal as the Middle East and India get hot (figuratively and literally). That’s why traveler awareness is critical. Stay in the know. Turn on those alerts. And yes, check your TripSource® updates before you leave for the airport.
Even if your travelers aren’t heading to the Middle East, they’re not necessarily in the clear. Longer routes, fewer options, and rising prices are already in play thanks to rerouted traffic and higher fuel costs. And if things escalate further or new airspace restrictions roll out? Those ripple effects could extend even wider.
Behind the scenes: Airline safety in action
Behind the scenes, airlines aren’t just winging it. They’re leaning into risk management hard. Every reputable airline operates under a Safety Management System, a globally recognized framework required by the International Civil Aviation Organization. It’s not just a checklist; it’s a full-circle strategy that includes real-time hazard monitoring, risk analysis, incident reporting, and ongoing performance reviews.
These systems are built to avoid risk, not just react to it. Airlines constantly assess geopolitical events, airspace risk, and rerouting logistics through collaboration with regulatory bodies like International Civil Aviation Organization, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Real-time intelligence and even satellite surveillance factor into flight planning. The level of coordination, foresight, and contingency planning involved would make even the most seasoned crisis manager swoon.
So, while travelers are sipping sparkling water at 35,000 feet, a full-blown safety apparatus is running in the background to keep the cabin calm until the wheels safely touch the ground.
Risk management isn’t optional
In today’s climate, travel risk management can’t be an afterthought. When global tensions rise, your strategy needs to rise with it. That means treating travel risk management with the same seriousness you’d give your cybersecurity compliance or financial safeguards. It’s not about panicking, it’s about planning.
Here’s what companies should be doing right now:
- Track developments using trusted, real-time intelligence.
- Review flight routes and itineraries, especially those going through Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, or nearby conflict-adjacent zones.
- Confirm your insurance and emergency providers can handle real disruption.
- Keep travelers in the loop with timely, actionable updates.
If you’re not sure whether your program is up to the task, our Traveler Security Program Assessment is a strong starting point. It’s not a quick fix, but it is a strategic deep dive into the current state of your travel risk program. After a comprehensive evaluation, you’ll receive personalized findings and targeted recommendations to strengthen your program, close gaps, and align with ISO 31030 global guidance.
The bottom line
We don’t have a crystal ball for how the geopolitical situation will play out, but we do know that proactive safety strategies, informed travelers, and strong travel risk management programs make all the difference. So, keep your people in the loop, get your program in shape, and don’t wait until after the headlines to realize you could have been better prepared.
Travel is still possible. Travel is still safe. But travel with your eyes open, and the Advito Travel Risk Management Consulting team on speed dial.
About Christine Connolley
Based in Colorado, Christine is part of the Global Crisis Management at BCD Travel, an innovative team that helps clients fulfill their duty of care. Also serving as a travel risk management consultant with Advito, Christine offers expertise in developing programs and policies, guiding security sourcing through RFP support, and conducting Traveler Security Program Assessments.
She is the Chair of the Global Business Travel Association’s US Risk Committee and an active member in the American Society of Safety Professionals ISO U.S. Technical Advisory Group TC262 – Risk Management.
Meet Christine at GBTA Convention 2025, July 21-23, in Denver
Headed to the show and interested in hearing more from Christine? Add these sessions to your agenda.
July 22, 2025
8:15 AM MT
Close Calls 2025: Disasters, Crisis and More!
Close calls are a reality every organization faces because disruptions spare no one. Whether it’s a canceled flight, a severe weather event, or a stolen laptop, these seemingly small incidents can quickly escalate into major threats to your travelers and your business. Don’t leave it to chance, be proactive, prepared, and protected.
10:45 AM MT
Searching for Truth: Navigating Risk in the Age of AI & Misinformation
In today’s world, AI is the new wild west – pumping out a lot of misinformation and creating new challenges for travel risk management. With no sheriff in town to fact check, how do you identify reliable intelligence? In this session, we’ll teach you how to separate fact from fiction and strategies to revolutionize your risk management approach, ensuring smarter, safer outcomes for your travelers.
July 23, 2025
10 AM MT
The Ultimate Balancing Act: Traveler Wellbeing, Costs, and Emissions
With Matthew Patterson, Senior Director, Client Relationships Advito
How can you find the right balance between traveler wellbeing, costs, and carbon emissions? You don’t want your travelers to burn out, but you also don’t want to see an increase in travel-related emissions or spend. This session explores how travel leaders are aligning their program priorities with organizational goals to find the right balance for their people, the planet, and the business.
