- Gulf hub closures cut long-haul capacity
- Asia–Europe fares surge sharply
- Airlines reroute via Asia, North America
Airline ticket prices on key routes linking Asia and Europe have risen sharply following the closure of major Gulf aviation hubs, significantly reducing capacity across some of the world’s busiest long-haul corridors.
Airline booking platforms show many near-term flights fully booked, while remaining seats are selling at elevated fares as travellers shift to alternative routes across Asia and North America. The disruptions have removed a substantial portion of global long-haul capacity from the market, particularly on routes that depend heavily on Middle Eastern transit hubs.
Key aviation gateways across the Gulf, including Dubai International Airport, remain closed for several days, eliminating a critical transit point for passengers connecting between Asia, Australia and Europe. The airport typically handles more than 1,000 flights daily and serves as one of the world’s largest international transfer hubs, especially for Europe–Asia Pacific traffic.
Also Read: The Future of Aerospace Manufacturing: Key Trends to Watch
Travel operator Flight Centre Travel Group reported a 75% increase in calls to its customer assistance centres as passengers sought alternative routing options after widespread cancellations.
Andrew Stark, Global Managing Director of the Flight Centre Travel Group, indicates that travellers are increasingly rebooking flights through Asian transit hubs or via North American gateways.
Airlines operating non-stop services or connecting flights that bypass the Gulf are experiencing a surge in demand as passengers adjust their travel plans. Consultancy Alton Aviation Consultancy indicates that carriers including Cathay Pacific Airways, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines could see short-term gains as travellers shift away from traditional Gulf hub connections.
Ticket prices illustrate the scale of the increase. Economy class seats on the Hong Kong–London route operated by Cathay Pacific are unavailable until March 11, with the first available one-way fare priced at HK$21,158.
Flights between Sydney and London show similar constraints. Qantas Airways lists no economy seats on its standard routing through Perth or Singapore until mid-March, with the earliest available fare priced at A$3,129.
European routes from Southeast Asia are also experiencing heavy demand. Thai Airways reports Europe-bound flights fully booked as travellers opt for direct services rather than transiting through Gulf hubs.
Airlines that continue operating between Asia and Europe are relying on longer flight paths that bypass Middle Eastern airspace, rerouting north through Central Asia or south via Egypt and Oman. Industry groups warn that extended routes increase fuel burn and operating costs, potentially sustaining upward pressure on fares if capacity constraints persist.