Increase in Airfare to Asia and Europe After Gulf Airports Closure

SadaNews - Airfares between Asia and Europe have significantly increased following the closure of major airports in the Middle East due to the American-Israeli war on Iran.

Airline websites have shown that tickets on many airlines are fully booked for days.

Major airports in the Gulf, including Dubai International Airport, the busiest in the world that usually handles over a thousand flights daily, have remained closed for the fourth consecutive day, today Tuesday, limiting the capacity for flights on popular routes such as Australia-Europe, where Emirates and Qatar Airways typically hold a large market share.

Andrew Stark, the Global Managing Director of Flight Centre Travel Group Australia, stated that the group has seen a 75% increase in incoming calls to its stores and emergency hotlines since the crisis began, and its teams are working around the clock to assist affected customers.

He added, "Australians are highly adaptable, and they have already started to rebook their flights to the UK/Europe via alternative routes through China, Singapore, and other Asian hubs, as well as to North America via centers like Houston."

Airlines offering direct flights between Asia and Europe can bypass the closed airspace in the Middle East by flying north over the Caucasus and then Afghanistan or south via Egypt and then Saudi Arabia and Oman.

However, this may increase flight durations and fuel consumption, leading to higher costs at a time when oil prices have risen, which may contribute to an increase in prices in the long term.

Source: Reuters