Travellers rush to sign up for travel insurance

VOLCANO ASH, A320 GROUNDING TRIGGER GLOBAL DISRUPTIONS

- BY JUSTIN VARGHESE

Travel disruptions hit hard last week after the Ethiopia volcano choked major air corridors and global A320 fleets were pulled for emergency software updates.

Airlines cancelled and rerouted flights without warning, leaving many travellers scrambling for new plans and covering unexpected costs along the way.

Moments like these are pushing more UAE residents to protect their travel plans before stepping on a plane. Policybazaar.ae reports a 45 per cent jump in travel-insurance queries for Q4 2025 compared with last year.

That increase particularly comes at a time when more people travel for National Day, year-end holidays and the December school break - a period when disruptions are more painful and costly.

Travellers are locking in insurance earlier, paying closer attention to cancellation and delay clauses, and choosing coverage that mirrors the rising uncertainty. Inbound travellers are doing the same, with a 48% rise in visitors securing insurance for trips into the UAE.