Emirates Offers War Travel Insurance as Gulf Carriers Reboot
Emirates Airline is offering travel insurance that includes medical coverage for war-related incidents and extended-stay support during disruptions, another example of how Gulf carriers are trying to reboot their businesses now that a US-Iran peace deal is on the table.
The package is in effect regardless of government travel advice, according to a company statement released Wednesday. The company is partnering with Travel Guard, acquired by Zurich Insurance Group AG in 2024, to offer coverage that’s comprehensive as well as reassuring, Emirates President Tim Clark said.
“With strong demand for travel in summer, we are proud to offer our customers added confidence in planning their journeys to and through Dubai,” Clark said in the statement.
The product includes medical coverage for conflict-related incidents, with airline-managed hotel accommodations and support for extended stays, according to the statement. Emirates also will rebook connecting services for affected passengers at no extra cost, even if those services aren’t available through the carrier.
The maximum reimbursement for medical expenses is $25,000, and the free trip extension is for as many as 30 days. The coverage can be purchased in countries including the UK, Germany and Singapore. The US isn’t listed in the statement.
Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways cut back operations after hostilities started in February because some countries closed their airspaces and some infrastructure was damaged by possible drone debris.
That took a major aviation region out for weeks, forcing the cancellations of thousands of flights. Emirates reworked its international network and even flew near-empty planes to its hub in Dubai as travelers sought to avoid the Persian Gulf.
The Iran war subsequently pushed Emirates’ profit below the initial projection, but Clark said the world’s largest airline will be “back very hard and fast.”
The Financial Times earlier reported on the insurance offering.
Photograph: An Airbus A380-800 passenger aircraft, operated by Emirates Airlines; photo credit: Christopher Pike/Bloomberg