The global aviation industry is facing a new crisis, as the war in the Middle East and the sharp increase in fuel prices are causing massive flight cancellations and significant increases in ticket prices.
According to data from aviation analysts Cirium, more than 43,000 flights were canceled in the Middle East between February 28 and March 10, forcing airlines to change routes and avoid conflict zones.
The chaos in air traffic has thrown international flight networks into disarray. Normally, carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad carry about a third of passengers between Europe and Asia and more than half of those between Europe and Australia. But the war has forced many flights to divert from these air corridors.
In parallel, the industry is facing another blow: the sharp increase in the price of jet fuel. According to sector experts, if the price of oil increases by 20%, jet fuel could increase several times more due to shortages in the market.
Before the American and Israeli attacks on Iran, the price of jet fuel was estimated at around $85–90 per barrel, while now it is estimated that it could reach $150 to $200.
This situation is forcing many airlines to review fares. Air India, for example, has announced a fare increase for domestic flights and some international routes, while even bigger increases are expected for flights to Europe, North America and Australia.
The impact on the market is already visible. The price of a business ticket from Milan to Sydney can reach up to around 17 thousand euros, while some itineraries that avoid the Persian Gulf area have reached up to 20 thousand pounds.
Data from Google Flights also shows sudden increases on some routes. A flight from Seoul to London jumped from around $564 to over $4,300 in just one week.
Experts warn that if prices continue to rise, demand for travel could fall significantly, as many private travelers and companies will limit travel due to high costs and economic uncertainty.
