The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that the net profit of Middle Eastern airlines, which amounted to $7.2 billion in 2025, will turn into a net loss of $4.3 billion in 2026, according to the Middle East Eye portal.

Since the first Iranian attacks against Israel and the subsequent Israeli retaliation, airspace has had to be closed over a vast area. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) continues to advise against flying over certain regions.

Travel and transit not recommended

For several months, until around mid-June, European governments advised against non-essential travel to the United Arab Emirates. This warning also applied to connecting flights via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar to Asia, the Indian Ocean, Africa, and other destinations.

End of the star hub?

The partial closure of airspace, travel warnings and general uncertainty in travel markets are the real problem for the hub-and-spoke system operated by Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.

This system, via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar Airways, operates with maximum efficiency and safety. Passenger demand in the Middle East fell by nearly 14% in June, while direct traffic between Europe and Asia increased by 11%.

Finally, many European and Asian airlines have suspended their flights to the region until the fall.

Communications & Editorial Team partir-magazine.com