US war on Iran: 'Absolute disaster' for Middle Eastern airlines

A crisis affecting global airlines is being driven by geopolitical conflict and market instability, according to Dr. Wouter Dewulf, Academic Director for the Master of Maritime/Air Transport Management at the University of Antwerp. War in the Middle East has triggered sharp increases in oil prices, which directly impact airline operating costs and profitability. Airspace closures and shifting travel patterns have created uneven effects across different regions, with Middle Eastern carriers facing particular strain. The convergence of fuel costs, route disruptions, and unpredictable demand creates what observers describe as an "absolute disaster" for airlines operating in and around the conflict zone. Airlines globally are navigating reduced margins and operational uncertainty as the crisis persists.