Destinations airlines won't fly to

The world is our oyster - with few exceptions. Photo / FlightRadar24

These are the destinations you'd struggle to travel to, even if you wanted to.

Due to conflict, international sanctions or strict "do not travel" warnings, most commercial airlines will not fly in and out of these places, news.com.au reports.

One of the most recent destinations to be added to the list is Venezuela, where a number of airlines have suspended their services, threatening to cut off the troubled South American nation from the rest of the world.

Last week Argentine Airlines said it would no longer fly in and out of Venezuela due to security concerns, joining a long list of airlines that have already done the same, including US airlines United and Delta, Germany's Lufthansa, Air Canada, Aeromexico, Alitalia and Colombian airline Avianca.

Here are some of the other places where commercial airlines either refuse to fly, have been banned from doing so, or simply don't because no one wants to visit.

NORTH KOREA

Travel to North Korea is possible - if not recommended - and usually via China. Photo / 123RF

It's not for nothing North Korea is known as the hermit state.

Most airlines will not fly to the country, as a result of sanctions, security fears, and travel warnings that make it seem a pretty undesirable place for people to visit.

Almost all travel to North Korea routes via China and flights are often delayed and cancelled.

North Korea has one national airline, Air Koryo, which is considered to be generally terrible.

The only other carrier flying in and out of North Korea, Air China, said in April it would suspend flights to Pyongyang due to the threat of conflict between North Korea and the United States, but resumed flights shortly after.

QATAR

Qatar has a busy transportation hub in its capital, Doha, but it's surrounded by some very angry neighbours. Photo / 123RF

New Zealanders can still fly to Qatar, but the Gulf nation came close to being isolated from the rest of the world in June when Saudi Arabia and six other Arab states cut air, sea and land links to the country.

After this, Emirates, Etihad, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Egypt Air and other Gulf carriers said they would no longer fly in and out of Qatar.

The diplomatic rift prompted air travel chaos as busy air routes between Doha and major transport hubs, such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai, were cut, leaving travellers stranded.

Travellers can still fly direct between Auckland and Qatar.

SYRIA

Formerly picturesque Syria had a thriving tourism industry before civil war broke out in 2011. Photo / 123RF

The ongoing civil war has made flying over Syrian airspace extremely dangerous.

Options for travelling by air to Syria, which is considered the most dangerous country on earth, are very limited.

Direct flights between Syria and the European Union have been banned since 2012. Other airlines have withdrawn services due to low demand. Arab carriers such as Emirates and EgyptAir have suspended services due to fighting close to Damascus airport.

Despite all this, the Syrian government has recently made some very hopeful attempts to sell the war-torn country as a tourist destination.

LIBYA

In 2015, Turkish Airlines became the last airline to suspend its flights to Libya. Photo / 123RF

Only a handful of airlines fly in and out of Libya due to ongoing conflict and a deteriorating security situation in the North African country.

Not only that, Tripoli International Airport has been closed due to damage from clashes between armed groups.

In 2015, Libya became the completely cut off from the world by air when Turkish Airlines became the last airline to suspended its flights to the country. Today, local airlines Libyan Arab Airlines and Afriqiyah Airways, as well as Tunisia's flag carrier Tunisair, are the only option for air passengers.

And in case you're wondering: Libya is listed by the New Zealand government as a no-go zone.

SINAI PENINSULA, EGYPT

The UK government has resisted calls to drop its ban on British flights to the Egyptian tourist town of Sharm el-Sheikh. Photo / Getty Images

This part of Egypt, home to the popular holiday town of Sharm el-Sheikh, is subject to a flight ban by a number of countries, including the UK and the US.

This region has seen a number of travel disasters over the last few years. In May 2016, EgyptAir flight MS804 from Paris to Cairo crashed in the region and the cause remains unknown. In March 2016, EgyptAir flight MS181 between Alexandria and Cairo, was hijacked by a man wearing what was later revealed to be a fake bomb-vest. In October 2015, terrorists took down Metrojet flight 9268 shortly after it left the airport at Sharm el-Sheikh.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises against all travel to Northern Sinai.

IRAQ

All foreign flights to and from the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital Arbil were suspended from September 29 on Baghdad's orders, its airport director said. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand government warns travellers not to travel to Iraq due to "volatile and unpredictable security situation" but even if you wanted to go, it would be difficult to get there by air.

Flights in and out of Baghdad International Airport are often cancelled and a number of airlines have suspended their operations out of Iraqi airports.

In September, the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority said it would suspend international flights to and from Erbil and Sulaimaniyah airports in Kurdish regions of Iraq. The decision coincided with the Kurdistan Regional Government's referendum on independence from Iraq.