Asian airlines see surge in europe demand as gulf hubs remain disrupted

Tuesday 21 April 2026 - 10:29

By: Dakir Madiha

Asian airlines see surge in europe demand as gulf hubs remain disrupted

Major Asian carriers including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air and Qantas report a sharp increase in passenger demand on Europe-bound routes as travelers avoid Middle East hubs affected by the conflict involving Iran. The shift reflects a rapid reconfiguration of global air travel flows, with analysts warning it could persist beyond the duration of the crisis.

Airlines said they expanded capacity to Europe in March and April to meet surging demand. Singapore Airlines reported its European load factor rose to 93.5 percent in March from 79.7 percent a year earlier, marking the strongest increase across its network. Cathay Pacific confirmed it added flights as passengers increasingly chose alternative routing options to bypass disrupted transit points.

Before the conflict, Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways handled a significant share of traffic between Europe and Asia. Since hostilities escalated, more than 52,000 flights to and from the Middle East have been canceled, affecting millions of passengers. Although some Gulf airlines have restored about 60 percent of pre-conflict capacity, travel advisories from governments including Australia continue to discourage transit through the region. Several international carriers, including Lufthansa and British Airways, have extended suspensions of flights to Gulf destinations.

The disruption has driven a measurable shift in airline performance. Korean Air reported a 47.3 percent increase in operating profit in the first quarter, with European passenger revenue rising 18 percent year on year. Qantas said it reallocated capacity from US and domestic routes to expand services to cities such as Paris and Rome. Traffic data shows routes between Australia and the Middle East dropped sharply, while Asian hubs including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul absorbed displaced demand.

Analysts expect the trend to extend beyond the immediate conflict. Booking cycles and risk aversion among travelers could sustain higher demand on Asia-Europe routes for six to twelve months after conditions stabilize. This suggests a potential structural shift in global aviation networks if alternative hubs retain their expanded role.

However, rising costs are offsetting gains. Airlines face higher fuel consumption due to longer routing and detours, with fuel accounting for a significant share of operating expenses. Malaysia Aviation Group said it is incurring additional daily costs while losing revenue from canceled flights. International Air Transport Association warned that Europe could face flight disruptions by late May if jet fuel shortages emerge due to continued constraints in the Strait of Hormuz.