The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran is disrupting travel plans around the world, forcing airlines to reroute flights and leaving thousands of passengers scrambling to adjust their journeys.
With large parts of Middle Eastern airspace closed due to the risk of missile and drone attacks, the conflict has triggered the biggest disruption to global aviation since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Gulf region normally acts as a crucial hub for long-haul travel between Europe, Asia and Australia, meaning the closure of airspace has had far-reaching consequences.
Holiday Plans Thrown Into Disarray
For travellers like Australian accountant Natasha Earle, the conflict has turned a long-planned holiday into an expensive challenge.
Her family’s five-week trip to Europe, booked months in advance, now requires rerouting to avoid Middle Eastern airspace, adding around A$10,000 to the cost.
“We’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on this holiday,” she said, adding that she hopes to recover part of the cost from the airline.
Other travellers have faced even more complicated journeys. One passenger travelling from Qatar to New Zealand had to drive across Saudi Arabia to catch an alternative flight after cancellations.
Airlines And Airports Under Pressure
The disruption has hit some of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, including Dubai International Airport.
Major Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways normally carry a large share of passengers travelling between Europe and Australia or New Zealand.
With these routes affected, airlines have been forced to reroute aircraft and raise ticket prices as jet fuel costs surge.
Some carriers have also reduced flight capacity or introduced fuel surcharges.
Travellers Seek Alternative Routes
Many passengers are now avoiding the Middle East altogether and choosing routes through Asia, the United States or other regions.
Airlines such as Qantas and Cathay Pacific say demand for flights through Asia has increased sharply as travellers look for safer alternatives.
European carriers are also seeing stronger bookings for routes that bypass the Middle East entirely.
Industry Faces Growing Uncertainty
The conflict has also pushed oil prices higher, raising concerns about jet fuel supply and costs for airlines worldwide.
Analysts warn that if the disruption continues, the aviation industry could face further turbulence in the coming months.
For travellers planning long-haul holidays, the war has become an unexpected factor reshaping routes, costs and schedules across the global travel network.
(with inputs from Reuters)
