The 2026 conflict in the Middle East is directly affecting the global aviation industry.
Many travelers are surprised to see flight ticket prices to Europe surge by up to 70% compared to last year.
Airspace closures, rising fuel costs, and flight rerouting are the main drivers behind this sharp increase.
Why Are Ticket Prices Increasing So Much?
The Iran–Israel regional conflict since early 2026 has disrupted global jet fuel supply chains, especially in Europe, which imports around one-third of its fuel from the Middle East.
Jet fuel prices, previously around $85–90 per barrel, surged to $150–200 per barrel at the peak of the crisis.
In addition, more than 52,000 flights were canceled since late February 2026 due to airspace closures over Iran, Israel, the UAE, and Qatar.
Middle Eastern carriers were heavily affected, with airlines like Emirates operating at 60% capacity and Etihad at just 15%.
How Much Prices Have Increased by Route
Price increases vary depending on the route, with some corridors experiencing much sharper spikes:
- UAE–Tel Aviv: up to +70%
- UAE–Europe (e.g., Frankfurt): +25–30%
- Mediterranean routes (Spain, Italy, Greece): +30–40%
- UAE–global destinations: +15–60%
- Long-haul flights: +2–5 hours due to rerouting
Airlines Most Affected
Several airlines have had to make major schedule and route adjustments:
- Lufthansa: cut 20,000 flights from its schedule through autumn
- Ryanair: canceled more than 800 flights in June 2025
- Wizz Air: suspended routes to Tel Aviv and Jordan
- SAS & Finnair: applied temporary price adjustments
- Qantas & Air New Zealand: suspended financial outlook for 2026
Why Flights Are Taking Longer
With airspace closures over Iran, Israel, and parts of the Middle East, airlines are forced to reroute flights via alternative corridors.
Routes from the UAE to Western Europe now detour over the Red Sea, Egypt, or northern Saudi Arabia, adding up to 90 minutes of flight time.
For widebody aircraft like the Boeing 777-300ER or Airbus A380, rerouting increases fuel costs by around $6,500 per flight—up to $4 million per month for scheduled UK routes.
Mediterranean Europe Becomes a “Safe Haven”
While Middle Eastern routes are disrupted, Southern Europe is seeing a surge in demand:
- Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia: sharp increase in bookings
- Kos (Greece): +170% bookings compared to 2025
- Lisbon, Athens, Barcelona: hotel prices rising
- Aegean Airlines & Iberia: increased seasonal capacity
Tips to Deal with Rising Prices
- Book 4–6 months in advance
- Consider routes via Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok)
- Use Asian carriers like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, ANA
- Travel during shoulder seasons (April–May, September–October)
- Choose alternative airports (e.g., Bergamo instead of Milan)
- Take advantage of long layovers with stopover programs
- Buy travel insurance covering disruptions
Asia–Europe Routes as an Alternative
For Asian travelers, routing through hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Tokyo is often more practical than transiting via the Middle East.
Airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and ANA continue operating relatively normal schedules using alternative routes.
Some European carriers are also shifting capacity away from Middle East-linked corridors toward direct Asia–Europe routes.
Outlook
Analysts expect elevated prices to persist throughout 2026. A return to normal fares will largely depend on geopolitical stabilization and recovery in global jet fuel supply.
For travelers planning Europe trips in 2026, flexibility is key—alternative routes, travel dates, and less popular destinations can help save hundreds of dollars per ticket.
