Intercontinental flights from Asia to Europe are facing a severe capacity crunch as major airports across the Middle East remain closed for a fourth consecutive day
Seat availability on key routes has collapsed, ticket prices have soared to multiples of their normal levels, and airlines are being forced to reroute through longer, costlier corridors.
Passengers are feeling the pinch immediately, while Asian carriers are navigating a more complex reality: a surge in demand on one hand, and rising operating costs on the other.
The crisis was triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, prompting Tehran to retaliate with munitions targeting several Gulf states. Airspace across Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria, and Bahrain is now closed to civilian traffic, effectively cutting off some of the most heavily traveled corridors in global aviation.
The world’s busiest hub goes quiet
Dubai International Airport (DXB), which normally processes over 1,000 flights a day, has been unable to operate its usual schedule since the crisis began. Gulf carriers Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad have cancelled or delayed thousands of flights, leaving passengers scrambling for alternatives.
According to a Reuters report, Australia’s Flight Centre has seen a 75% surge in calls to its stores and emergency lines. Its Global Managing Director Andrew Stark told Reuters that its customers are already adapting, rebooking via Singapore, China, and North American hubs such as Houston.
Asian carriers step in
With Gulf routes effectively off the table, carriers including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways are seeing a significant jump in demand. Reuters reported that analysts at Alton Aviation identified Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific as likely short-term beneficiaries, given their established nonstop networks between Asia and Europe.
Thai Airways, meanwhile, is reporting fully booked European flights as travelers seek to avoid Middle East transit altogether, according to Thailand’s Transport Minister.
The numbers show a clear pictre. Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong to London route showed no available economy seats until March 11, 2026, with the earliest ticket priced at around $2,705 one-way, compared to a more typical fare of roughly $648 later in the month. Qantas had no economy availability on its Sydney to London service until March 17, 2026, with that seat going for approximately $2,220.
A costly detour
Airlines that can operate in and out of the Middle East are being forced to reroute, flying north via the Caucasus and Afghanistan, or south through Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. These detours can add anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes to flight times, burning more fuel and pushing up operating costs.
Subhas Menon, head of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, told Reuters the situation carries a real price.
“Right now the whole of the Middle East is out of bounds, which is a high price for some airlines,” he said. “If Europe can only be served at a high cost, airline profitability will be undermined. At the end of the day, the price to pay is connectivity.”
Industry consultants estimate that total operating costs per long-haul flight could rise between three and eight percent depending on routing and fuel prices. Some airlines may also need to reduce cargo loads to carry the extra fuel required for longer routes.
Airports across Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong, which rely partly on Gulf connectivity, could face longer-term network disruptions if the crisis is prolonged. Jet fuel, which tracks crude oil prices, remains the biggest variable. A sustained escalation in the Gulf could push energy costs higher across the board, eventually feeding through to passengers on virtually every route.
