Flying to Europe - is it safe?

[StressyMcStressFace]

This may be the stupidest question but I'm going to ask it anyway because I would really welcome opinions (not on how stupid I am thanks!).

Do you think it is wise to fly to Europe on holiday in light if the current situation in Ukraine? Genuine question as I am not very clued up on the ins and outs of the invasion (apart from the big headlines) and was just wondering how safe it is likely to be albeit at the end of June. I started thinking about it due to a comment made on another thread about the fact that a passenger flight could be shot down even if accidentally.

Do we need to reconsider flying to Europe or are we safe enough?

Obviously nobody can see into the future and maybe this is a non-question but I thought it might be a question worth asking. Thanks

The Eastern border of Poland is with Ukraine , the Western border of Ukraine is with Russia . However the northern border of a Poland is with Belarus which is Russia by another name and whose president is arguably even more mad than Putin . So Poland could be on the frontline if Ukraine falls and as a full NATO member would be pretty worried so would think .

@VickyEadieofThigh

Did you mean Russia when you said Poland is a "close neighbour of Ukraine"?

The whole of Russia lies between Poland and Ukraine.

Emmm, nope.

Poland and Ukraine share a border.

My sister returned from Poland on Wednesday and said it was starting to feel very unsafe - certainly wouldn't recommend going any of ukraine's bordering countries

@Barkingmadhouse

My sister returned from Poland on Wednesday and said it was starting to feel very unsafe - certainly wouldn't recommend going any of ukraine's bordering countries

I think people are panicking a bit. Buying petrol etc. Same as in the UK few months ago, when they threatened us with fuel shortages. It's not like you're not safe on the streets, nothing's going on atm. Of course it's sensible to reschedule if you're not feeling comfortable with it. Maybe I'm looking at it differently, because it's my country, so I'm not really scared. I wouldn't cancel Spain or Greece or any destination like this.

Many airlines stopped flying over that airspace back in 2014 when MH17 was shot down but many others continued. I believe they have now all stopped and use alternate air space routes so that should take care of air safety. I’d be wary of visiting countries in that region but otherwise I’d be comfortable. Spain I’d do without a second thought.

@Truegreen

Not really an over reaction to cancel our cruise. We got a full refund, if we waited we wouldn’t, insurance doesn’t cover war afaik

We’re not the only ones to do so. Took ages to get through to travel agent and in their words they processed huge volumes of refunds yesterday.

If certain countries are deemed unsafe to travel to, you will get a refund regardless of insurance. This is what happened after the terror attacks in Tunisia, Egypt, etc.

@amylou8

I'm sat on a plane waiting to take off from Istanbul. Definitely higher security at the airport but otherwise fine. Uranian air space is closed.

Uranian air space is closed

I dont think many planes fly into Uranian air space very often anyway, a bit too far to go

@junglejane66 🤣

Unless you're planning a trip to Ukraine or Russia, you'll he fine, op

Moldovia has closed its airspace as well out of caution, however doubt that many people are flying there for holidays. Wouldn't think twice about going anywhere else. To be honest, it's far more dangerous to be in the UK than Europe right now because it's a higher profile target than a random, small NATO country.

@thunderonlyhappenswhenits

What do people think about Cyprus ? Meant to be going in may

Well it's rather close to Syria on the map and they've had a terrible time of it recently.

@VickyEadieofThigh errrrr no. Just no.

@junglejane66 winner winner!

I don't think the Russian Air Force are targeting Jet2 or Tui flights to benidorm.....

Well it's rather close to Syria on the map and they've had a terrible time of it recently.

Despite that, it has had zero impact on Cyprus.

"Well it's rather close to Syria on the map and they've had a terrible time of it recently."

Really? By looking at it, you should actually leave the UK and perhaps fly to Australia, because otherwise you're too close to the continental Europe too.

In general yes, but it obviously depends where you are going. If the usual flight plan takes you over an area considered dangerous, they fly a different route...of course that excludes the general risk of crazies (hello Putin) happy to bring civilian aircraft down with surface-to air-missiles...

The sarcasm on this thread is making my day

FFS I was being sarcastic.

This thread is insane, as are most of the Ukraine related threads on here today.

Russia are bombing the shit out of Ukraine and people are asking daft questions about the likelihood of being shot down on a flight to Spain in 4 months time.

I am in Spain at the moment. Life is normal here. Of course the news are mentioning Ukraine, but we are really far away.

We booked a holiday in the Canaries for June only today. I did consider not doing it but then thought I can’t live my whole life never doing anything. It’s just one thing after another right now. Spain is far enough away and I’m just going to keep my fingers crossed that it’s all ok 👍

It'll be absolutely fine, Poland (bordering Ukraine) would also be completely fine.

@BattenbergdowntheHatches

Should be plenty of cheap holidays available if everyone's shitting the bed over Ukraine.

If I'm going to be liquidised by a nuke I'd rather do it from by a pool on the Cote d-azur than hiding in a wardrobe with iodine tablets and a radio.

I’ve found my people!