What Happened
Asian Carriers Fill Void As Gulf Routes Remain Closed
The closure of Middle East airspace due to US-Israeli strikes on Iran has triggered a severe capacity crunch on intercontinental flights from Asia to Europe. With major airports across the region remaining closed for a fourth consecutive day, seat availability has collapsed, and ticket prices have soared. Asian carriers, such as Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways, are seeing a significant jump in demand as passengers seek alternative routes. The crisis has forced airlines to reroute through longer, costlier corridors, burning more fuel and pushing up operating costs. According to AeroTime, the situation carries a real price, with industry consultants estimating that total operating costs per long-haul flight could rise between three and eight percent.