While the unprecedented airspace closures across the Gulf have impacted flights travelling to and transiting through the region, there are five immediate steps travellers can take when dealing with flight cancellations to regain control:

1. Contact your insurance provider to understand what is covered.

2. Check your airline’s policies as they might be able to offer a free rebooking or refund.

3. If you choose to rebook yourself, lean on Skyscanner’s smart booking options. Tools such as Price Alerts and Whole Month Search allow you to find the cheapest alternatives, so you can book the best option at the best price.

4. If your disruption takes place in Singapore, refer to the airline's conditions of carriage.. If you’re impacted outside of Singapore, check what your entitlement rights are as these can vary. 

5. Keep records of all costs incurred as airlines sometimes cover expenses such as overnight accommodation, transport to and from the airport, and meals.

Our guide on what to do if your flight is cancelled covers these in more detail.

There are also measures that travellers can take pre-trip to safeguard their booking:

Travellers may have questions surrounding global jet fuel shortages and how it may impact summer holiday plans for Singaporean travellers.

Data from Singapore Airlines shows that there have been very few cancellations outside of the daily Dubai flights that are grounded until further notice. All other Singapore Airlines routes are operating, though some are on longer paths to avoid closed airspaces.

What’s happening with Singapore flight cancellations and jet fuel shortages

As of May 2026, the Singaporean government has responded to the fuel crisis with a few targeted measures relevant to travellers.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore delayed a sustainable aviation fuel levy that airlines were due to start paying, citing the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict on airlines and passengers, with the charge now pushed back to the end of 2026. The government has also moved to build emergency jet fuel stockpiles, though there is no fuel rationing or export restrictions. Singapore has deliberately avoided the fuel and diesel subsidies rolled out by neighbours like Malaysia and Indonesia, instead opting for targeted cost-of-living relief for residents.

For travellers, the practical upshot is that flights through Singapore remain operational but could be more expensive, with the government's priority being to keep the aviation hub functioning rather than intervene directly in airfare pricing.

For further information on compensation for flight cancellations, travellers can check the airline's official terms and consult the CAAS for guidance.

• Contact hotel, car hire and activity providers as early as possible, once delays or cancellations have been confirmed by your airline.

• Confirm grace periods and refund policies to understand your options.

• Keep receipts for your insurance provider.

• Document disruption evidence in case the hotel, car hire or activity provider requires this to waive fees or refund.

This cheatsheet breaks down how travellers can easily solve for some of the common causes of travel disruption:

Travel disruption occur for a number of reasons including flight delays and cancellations due to:

• Security risks (i.e. severe weather conditions, air traffic congestions, etc.)

• Operational glitches

• Logistical challenges (i.e. strike action, the introduction of new travel regulations, airline insolvency).

Disruption to flight schedules happen throughout the year but recently, the geopolitical situation in the Gulf region has caused widespread cancellations of flights which has impacted routes travelling to and from the area, as well as those transiting through the airspace.

The situation has raised questions around air fuel shortages, resulting in a number of proactive measures being introduced by airlines. These include, cutting down specific routes, increasing fare prices or introducing surcharges on flight tickets in response.

Whether you’re impacted by commonly occurring reasons or by unprecedented global events, flight cancellations can often orchestrate chaos. And while no-one wants to deal with flight cancellations, knowing how to is a powerful tool against eliminating any hassle and anxiety if your flight is affected.

Five essential steps you should take:

1. Know your rights based on what your insurance provider will cover. 

2. Know your rights based on your airline’s policies, especially as they might be able to offer a free rebooking.

3. If you choose not to opt for rebooking options the airline can offer, check if you’re eligible for a refund, and rebook yourself using Skyscanner’s smart booking options (such as Price Alerts and Whole Month Search) to find the cheapest alternatives.

4. If you’re impacted outside of Singapore, check what your entitlement rights from the airline are as these can vary in other destinations

5. Make sure you keep records of all costs incurred as airlines are sometimes entitled to cover things like overnight accommodation, transport to and from the airport and meals

Traveller rights vary depending on the airline, route, timing of the disruption and applicable regulations. In many cases, passengers may be entitled to rebooking support, refunds or compensation, though the rules differ depending on the cause of the disruption.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) oversees air travel consumer protections in Singapore, while individual airline conditions of carriage also govern what passengers are owed. The following general guidance applies to travellers departing from or arriving into Singapore:

Note: Singapore does not currently have a single mandatory passenger rights framework equivalent to EU261. Travellers flying on Singapore-based carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Scoot or Jetstar Asia should refer to each airline's conditions of carriage, while those holding travel insurance should review their policy for disruption coverage.

You can find more information on what to do when your flight gets cancelled in our dedicated guide.

When a flight schedule changes, travellers are usually notified after the airline or airport has confirmed the delay or cancellation. However, there can be some prior signs that can signal whether your flight is likely to be impacted. These include news of route disruption, airport notices, airline alerts, weather warnings, strikes or official travel updates.

The best way to stay on top of flight schedule changes is to:

• Check directly with your airline via their website or app 

• Monitor communication with the carrier via email, SMS or app notification

• Get live tracking updates with Skyscanner’s airport departure boards

• Check official government or airport advice

Travellers flying through Changi Airport are advised to monitor their bookings closely but should avoid cancelling plans pre-emptively without first checking their airline's current schedule status.

While the global jet fuel shortage — triggered by disruption to the Strait of Hormuz — has led to significant flight cuts worldwide, Singapore appears to be navigating the crisis better than most of the region, with analysts pointing to stronger fuel reserves and supply chain management at Changi as a key factor.

Changi Airport has also emerged as an alternative routing hub for some long-haul travellers, with bookings on Singapore-London routes rising as Gulf carrier capacity contracts.

That said, the broader regional picture means some airlines are cutting scheduled flights, and the situation may worsen through June. Most airlines have responded by consolidating less popular routes or adding fuel surcharges to offset rising costs.

Singaporean travellers are encouraged to review their airline's conditions of carriage, check travel insurance policies for disruption coverage, and monitor booking status ahead of departure.

Airline insolvency happens when an airline can no longer continue operating or meet its financial obligations. In some cases, this can result in cancelled flights, suspended routes or difficulty accessing refunds and rebooking support.

While these remain relatively uncommon,in the event that an airline you have a booking with does stop operating, these following steps can help alleviate pressure quickly .

• Check official airline communications for updates on cancellations and reimbursement processes

• Contact your travel insurer and payment provider to understand whether you may be eligible for protection or chargeback support

• Use Skyscanner’s flight search to easily compare replacement flight options across multiple airlines, routes and booking providers if you need to reorganise your journey.

Travel insurance offers protection against a range of issues. This may include flight cancellations, flight delays or airline solvency depending on your policy. However, be aware that exemptions may apply in certain situations, particularly for events linked to conflict, government travel restrictions or airspace closures. 

When facing travel disruption, review your policy to quickly gain an understanding of your rights and get in touch with your provider as soon as possible to get clarity of coverage and actionable steps, such as keeping a copy and evidence of expenses. 

If you’re looking to buy travel insurance, we’ve got the answers to your questions in our guide.

• Know your legal rights if you’re subject to flight cancellations. See our guide on flight cancellations to understand where you stand.

• Use Skyscanner’s nearby airports filter to expand search to alternative airports for more options

• Utilise Whole Month Search to find the cheapest flights if you have flexibility with dates

You can make your trip more flexible by using tools that help you adapt quickly when plans change. Skyscanner makes it easy to compare flights, hotels, car hire and train journeys all in one place, so if you need to rebook or change direction unexpectedly, you can quickly find the best option at the best price. Features like Price Alerts, Drops, flexible ticket filters and multi-transport search tools give travellers more control and confidence when booking.

See our guide on flexible flights to understand more.