New Delhi: The escalating Middle East conflict has triggered widespread chaos in the global aviation sector, forcing airlines worldwide to grapple with unprecedented challenges. Countries including the UK, Germany, US, Sweden, France, Netherlands, Singapore, India, Japan and more now face soaring airfares and massive flight disruptions as carriers like British Airways, Lufthansa, Air India, SAS, and United Airlines reroute flights and impose surcharges. This crisis, marked by airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, and Gulf regions, has created a “hole in the sky” where busy routes once thrived, leaving millions of passengers stranded and reshaping travel plans across continents.
Travellers booking flights from Europe to Asia or the Middle East are hit hardest, with fares jumping dramatically due to longer routes, fuel price spikes, and reduced capacity. Over 52,000 flights have been cancelled since late February 2026, including peaks where 50% of Gulf departures ground to a halt. Airlines warn of ongoing issues into May, urging passengers to check rights for refunds and rebooking amid this global aviation crisis.
Countries facing airfare surge and disruptions
The UK has joined Germany, US, Sweden, France, Netherlands, Singapore, India, Japan and others in battling over 40 percent airfare surges and flight disruptions from the Middle East conflict. In the UK, 80 per cent of flights in the region faced issues, with 60 per cent cancelled affecting over 860,000 passengers, as per AirHelp data. Outbound flights saw 72 per cent disruptions and inbound 58 per cent.
Specific routes skyrocketed such as Dubai to Heathrow fares rose from £376 to £1,825 (over 400 per cent), Abu Dhabi to Manchester from £280 to £856, Oman to Heathrow from £215 to over £2,000. British Airways suspended flights to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Doha until May 31, alongside Lufthansa Group cancelling Dubai and Tel Aviv services.
In India, Air India, Lufthansa, IndiGo faced 47 cancellations at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru; Delhi-Frankfurt, Mumbai-London Heathrow repeatedly hit. SAS, United added fuel surcharges as Europe-Asia fares surged up to 260 per cent due to jet fuel shortages. AirHelp CEO Tomasz Pawliszyn said: “Even when compensation isn’t available, travellers are still entitled to care.”
Airlines struggling with rerouting and cancellations
British Airways, Lufthansa, Air India, SAS, United and others face over 40 percent airfare hikes from Middle East airspace closures forcing Pacific or Istanbul detours, burning extra fuel. Lufthansa stock fell 7.7 per cent, cancelling Delhi-Frankfurt (125 flights/day disrupted), Munich routes; Virgin Atlantic halted Mumbai-London Heathrow.
Air France-KLM added 78 flights (17,660 seats) avoiding Iran, Iraq, Pakistan via Rome or Jeddah. In India, IndiGo cancelled Chennai/Bhubaneswar multiple times, SpiceJet Srinagar/Leh, Akasa Bengaluru-Goa. SAS and KLM saw delays to Paris, Amsterdam, Oslo; Ryanair noted Easter surge to Europe avoiding Middle East.
The Middle East conflict sparks a global aviation crisis with soaring airfares and disruptions. In this crisis, it is important to stay flexible, monitor updates, and know your passenger rights to travel smarter.