Middle East Conflict Forces Withdrawal from Andorra Sax Fest

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has forced the cancellation of a flight for one international contestant in the 13th Andorra Sax Fest, leading to their withdrawal from the competition.

Organisers confirmed receiving an email on Wednesday from the participant, who was travelling from a highly tense area, stating they could not attend due to the safety risks. "It is not a matter of not wanting to come; it is for security reasons," association sources told *El Periòdic*. The contestant had already covered their own travel costs but will be unable to take part.

This marks at least the fifth absence recorded for the event so far, with this case directly linked to the regional war. Organisers review each cancellation individually to determine whether to refund entry fees in exceptional circumstances, despite standard rules that do not allow returns for last-minute withdrawals. "We analyse every situation internally to weigh whether to return the money or not," they explained.

Refunds pose financial challenges for the non-profit group, which has already incurred costs for materials, professionals, and logistics to accommodate participants. Dropping one entrant creates a gap in budgeted expenses. They ruled out replacements from a waiting list, noting that contestants require elite-level preparation time, similar to athletes. "There is no waiting list because the replacement would not be at the same preparation level," sources said, adding that such changes would only be feasible with months of notice.

Instead, they may offer affected participants a spot in a future edition, though they acknowledged the difficulties. "We would love to refund everyone, but there are expenses we must cover."

A similar incident occurred last year when solo category winner Wataru Hirai faced a flight cancellation via Abu Dhabi; organisers rearranged his itinerary to ensure his attendance.

The 13th Andorra Sax Fest runs from 24 March to 4 April, drawing hundreds of international entrants as it continues to grow in prominence.