Capitals, March 29 (SANA) Airfares on key global routes have risen by as much as 560 percent since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli-Iranian conflict, with airlines facing mounting disruptions from airspace closures, higher fuel costs and rerouted flights.
Data from Alton Aviation Consultancy showed that ticket prices on major routes between Asia and Europe climbed by up to 560 percent in March, highlighting the scale of disruption affecting the aviation sector.
Market data showed that fares on the Hong Kong–London route reached around $3,300, compared with about $900 before the conflict. Similar increases were recorded across long-haul routes, particularly those crossing conflict zones or requiring detours.
Analysis based on data from aviation firm Cirium showed that average fares for June on seven routes linking Asia-Pacific and Europe have risen by around 70 percent compared with the same period last year.
On the Sydney–London route, average ticket prices exceeded $1,500 in June, nearly double their level a year earlier, driven by longer flight paths, higher operating costs and seasonal demand.
Airspace closures linked to the conflict have forced airlines to adopt longer, more expensive routes, contributing to the cancellation of more than 70,000 flights since late February. The resulting capacity constraints have widened the gap between supply and demand, further pushing prices higher.
Fuel costs remain a key factor, accounting for roughly one-third of airline operating expenses. As oil prices rise, airlines have passed the higher costs on to passengers through increased fares.
At the same time, demand has begun to weaken, with bookings declining by about 15 percent for flights from Europe to the United States and around 11 percent in the opposite direction, reflecting travelers’ sensitivity to higher prices.
Analysts say that even if tensions ease, fares are unlikely to return quickly to previous levels, as the impact of fuel costs typically takes months to filter through the market.
The developments point to mounting challenges for the global aviation industry, with rising prices potentially signaling a longer-term shift in the cost of air travel.
N.J/A.B
