ME air travel demand shows gradual recovery after conflict

Geneva : Air travel demand to the Middle East is showing signs of recovery after plunging earlier this year following disruptions caused by the Iran conflict, although bookings remain below last year's levels.

According to the latest ticket booking data for the June-September 2026 travel period, forward bookings to the Middle East have steadily improved since March, when demand fell sharply following the escalation of regional tensions on February 28.

While bookings in May were still 30 percent lower than in the same month of 2025, the upward trend between March and May indicates that travelers are gradually returning as flight connections across the region normalize.

The report also found mixed demand trends across other global markets. Summer bookings for Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America remained close to or above 2025 levels, but growth slowed during the March-May period. Analysts attributed part of the slowdown to higher airfares driven by a sharp rise in jet fuel prices, which have roughly doubled since late February.

The data also highlighted how airlines and passengers adapted during the Middle East disruptions. Asia Pacific recorded the strongest increase in bookings while capacity in the Middle East was constrained, while Africa and Europe experienced steeper declines because of their dependence on Middle Eastern transit hubs.