Middle East travel disruption

As many of you will already be aware, military action is occurring in Iran and other locations in the Middle East, causing significant travel disruption, including airspace closures and flight cancellations with some airports having been directly impacted by the attacks.

The Risk Office has been advised that University travellers whose travel has been booked via Orbit (with upcoming travel scheduled to or via the Middle East) have been contacted directly by Orbit to assist with re-booking flight routes away from the conflict zone.

Travellers whose travel has been booked via a third party can email the Risk Office for assistance. Note: the Risk Office does not have visibility of any bookings made outside of Orbit, where those itineraries have not been shared with the Risk Office for uploading into our travel tracking software.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has issued guidance related to the Middle East security situation on SafeTravel.

The University’s travel insurance is directly linked to the MFAT advice levels for the travel destination, including any country or territory that a traveller transits through enroute to their destination.

Staff are advised to check the MFAT advice level(s) for their upcoming travel destinations and any country or territory that they will transit through enroute to their final destination.

If any destinations has an MFAT advice level of ‘Avoid Non-Essential Travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ staff are requested to email the Risk Office as soon as possible.

Travellers are also advised to register their travel with SafeTravel.

All travellers travelling internationally on University-approved and funded business have access to 24-hour, 7 days a week worldwide assistance and support via our emergency travel assistance provider Healix, via phone or app.

• Phone +64 9 374 1736 Note: You will will need to quote the Chubb policy number, NZBTAG08936125
  or
• 'Travel Oracle' app (download before you depart)

Student travel is managed by 360 International, the outbound mobility team who are part of the International Office. For any questions or concerns related to student travel, staff can advise students to email 360international@auckland.ac.nz.

Many of you will be watching events unfold in Iran and across the Middle East with concern. Many people in our University community have connections to the region and will be worried about the situation.

Please remember:

• Staff can access free, confidential counselling services from the Employee Assistance Programme.
• Students can get support from Te Papa Manaaki Campus Care, and other groups listed under Personal support.