اضطراب الأجواء وارتفاع الوقود يربكان الطيران في آسيا وأوروبا

Airlines in Asia and Europe have started raising ticket prices and adding additional fuel charges, along with adjusting flight schedules, amid the sharp rise in aircraft fuel prices due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East and its impact on vital flight routes.

Several airlines, including Australia's Qantas, New Zealand's Air New Zealand, and Scandinavian airline SAS, have announced price increases or operational changes, while other companies have warned that the ongoing crisis could threaten fuel supplies and lead to further adjustments in flight schedules.

Significant Jump in Fuel Prices

Data from airlines indicates that aircraft fuel prices have surged sharply since the outbreak of recent confrontations. After hovering between $85 and $90 per barrel before the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, prices jumped to between $150 and $200 per barrel.

This significant rise has increased operational costs for airlines, prompting some to suspend their financial forecasts for 2026 due to the uncertainty surrounding the developments of the conflict.

A spokesperson for Scandinavian airline SAS stated that the sharp rise in fuel prices has forced the company to take swift action to maintain the stability of its operations, explaining that the company has implemented a temporary price adjustment to deal with the rising costs.

Different Measures Among Airlines

Some European and Asian airlines, such as Lufthansa and Ryanair, rely on fuel price hedging programs that allow them to purchase part of their fuel needs at fixed prices, providing relative protection from sharp market fluctuations.

In contrast, Finnair has warned that a prolonged conflict could affect not only fuel prices but also its availability in global markets, especially with some exporting countries like Kuwait, a major supplier of aviation fuel in Europe, reducing production.

Airspace Disruptions

In addition to rising costs, the aviation sector faces additional challenges due to airspace disruptions in the region. Some flights heading to Dubai had to fly in temporary holding patterns yesterday (Tuesday) after a potential missile threat was detected, before being allowed to land later.

The closure or avoidance of certain airspaces leads to longer flight routes and increased fuel consumption, further intensifying pressure on airlines.

Changes in Air Networks

Airlines have already begun rearranging their air networks. Australian airline Qantas announced that it is considering reallocating some of its flights toward Europe, while Cathay Pacific has decided to increase the number of flights to London and Zurich in March, benefiting from the rising demand for Asia-Europe routes.

New Zealand Airlines also announced an increase in ticket prices on several routes, warning of the possibility of further increases or schedule adjustments if fuel prices remain at high levels.

In the same context, Hong Kong Airlines decided to raise fuel charges by up to 35% starting Thursday, while Air India announced the beginning of a gradual increase in fuel charges for domestic and international flights.

Pressure on the Global Aviation Sector

Analysts believe that rising fuel costs may push airlines to slow down expansion plans and increase ticket prices to maintain profit margins.

Additionally, the tightening of airspace due to geopolitical conflicts, along with the war in Ukraine that has forced many European companies to avoid Russian airspace, complicates operational processes and limits available routes.

With strong demand for travel globally continuing, especially during holiday seasons, experts expect the market to partially absorb the price increases, but the future of the sector will remain heavily linked to developments in the Middle East conflict and global energy markets.