Air Canada cancelled Dubai and Tel Aviv until September 7, 2026. GAC maintains Level 4 — Avoid All Travel — for both Israel (May 14 update) and the UAE (May 4 update). The Gaza ceasefire is in effect but fragile, with ongoing violations. Here's what changed.
Air Canada's suspension is now locked until September 7, 2026 for both Dubai and Tel Aviv — that's an extension from the original March estimates. The airline announced this on March 26, 2026. WestJet has followed with flexible rebooking policies but hasn't officially cancelled their Middle East flights — they're allowing free changes to alternate destinations.
Meanwhile, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) maintains Level 4 — Avoid All Travel — for Israel (updated May 14) and the United Arab Emirates (updated May 4). This is the highest advisory level in Canada's system.
On October 10, 2025, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect in Gaza. However, as of May 2026, the UN, Al Jazeera, and BBC all report that the ceasefire is increasingly fragile with ongoing violations. The UN explicitly stated the ceasefire is "volatile and unpredictable."
Key ceasefire updates (May 2026):
Bottom line: The ceasefire is technically in place but unstable. The security situation could deteriorate rapidly without notice.
Ben Gurion International Airport reopened on March 8, 2026, for outbound Israeli airline flights only. Foreign airlines have slowly resumed service, but availability is limited and destinations are restricted.
What this means for Canadians: Air Canada isn't flying there. Even if you were in Israel and the airport is technically open, you'd have very few Canadian-operated options to leave. You'd likely be dependent on other airlines (European carriers, Israeli airlines) with unpredictable schedules.
When GAC issues a Level 3 or Level 4 advisory for a destination, the vast majority of Canadian travel insurance policies — including those bundled with credit cards — void coverage for that region.
Affected destinations (all Level 3 or 4 as of May 2026):
If you booked a trip to any of these destinations before the advisory was issued and are now cancelling, check your policy — some insurers have grace periods or grandfather clauses. But in most cases, new bookings after the advisory was issued are not covered.
Caribbean All-Inclusive (Same flight time from Toronto, no conflict exposure):
East African Safaris (Same or shorter flight time, completely unaffected):
All of these have stable Canadian airline connectivity and zero fuel surcharges or flight cancellations related to the Middle East situation.
The ceasefire is in place, but it's fragile. GAC could upgrade to a different advisory level at any time if the situation escalates. Ben Gurion Airport could close again with short notice. Air Canada's suspension could be extended beyond September 7.
If you had Middle East travel planned: Don't wait for things to stabilize. Rebook now to a destination you actually want to visit. Airlines are offering no-change-fee rebooking until December 15, 2026 — that's flexibility, not certainty. Use it.
💡 Pro Tip: Air Valet Travels (TICO #50027258) specializes in rebooking cancelled Middle East trips to comparable alternatives — Caribbean all-inclusives that match your budget, or African safaris that offer the luxury experience you were seeking. Call 905-226-1651 for a free consultation.
Middle East travel for Canadians remains off the table until at least September 2026. The ceasefire is in effect but increasingly fragile. Travel insurance won't cover you. Air Canada and WestJet aren't flying there. The smartest move is to rebook to a destination where there's no conflict, no flight suspensions, and zero risk to your vacation investment.
Unlikely. Air Canada has extended the suspension multiple times since March. They've now locked it until September 7, 2026. The airline will likely reassess in late August. Monitor their website for updates, but don't expect resumption before that date.
Yes — GAC has not issued Level 4 advisories for Jordan or Egypt. However, Air Canada doesn't operate flights to most of these destinations from Canada. You'd need to book through a Middle Eastern carrier or European airline, which adds complexity. Caribbean and African alternatives remain simpler and cheaper.
Check your specific policy, but most credit card travel insurance voids coverage for Level 3 and Level 4 destinations. Call your credit card issuer and ask explicitly: "Is coverage valid for trips to Israel or UAE?" Most will say no.
GAC hasn't issued Level 4 advisories for Saudi Arabia or Qatar, but they are Level 3 (Avoid Non-Essential Travel). Travel insurance won't cover you. Air Canada doesn't have regular flights to these destinations. They're technically reachable but practically not accessible for Canadian leisure travelers right now.
Air Valet Travels (TICO #50027258) specializes in rebooking Middle East cancellations to comparable luxury alternatives — Caribbean all-inclusives or East African safaris. Free consultation.
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