SANTO DOMINGO – The recent military escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran has not only strained the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East; it has also caused a major disruption in one of the world's main air corridors.
More than 1,500 flights to the region were canceled on Sunday, representing about 40% of the traffic expected for the day, according to data from the aeronautics firm Cirium, cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The bombings carried out by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory, followed by Tehran's response, triggered the closure of airspace in several Persian Gulf countries, affecting a strategic axis that connects Asia, Europe and Africa.
A key air corridor under pressure
The geographic location of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia has made the region a vital transit point for international transport. Airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways have established their hubs as key centers for intercontinental flights.
However, recent Iranian attacks on targets in Gulf countries, several of them with a US military presence, led to partial airspace closures and massive aircraft diversions, impacting passengers on multiple continents.
In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Defense confirmed three deaths and 58 injuries as a result of the bombings, one of the fatalities occurring at Abu Dhabi airport. The explosions were also felt in Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and Manama, increasing the perceived risk in the region.
Impact on the image and economy of the airline
According to Didier Arino, CEO of Proturismo, quoted by AFP, the conflict directly affects the Gulf's international standing as a safe and stable destination. "What they sell is the security of property and people, and Dubai was being talked about a bit like Switzerland," he noted, warning of the reputational blow the crisis represents.
Expert Didier Bréchemier, from the Roland Berger office, described the scenario as unprecedented since the Covid-19 pandemic, stressing that, unlike the war in Ukraine, this crisis directly impacts air hubs with high global connectivity.
Gulf airlines account for approximately 45% of traffic between Europe and Asia, so the partial shutdown of airspace could result in losses amounting to hundreds of millions of euros, according to estimates gathered by AFP.
Stranded passengers and alternative routes
The disruption has left thousands of travelers stranded in airports across Africa, Europe, and Asia. European tour operators are working to establish alternative routes through hubs like Istanbul, while airlines are reorganizing schedules to avoid the conflict zone.
The impact is not limited to passenger transport. The Gulf air corridor is equally crucial for cargo transport, which could have knock-on effects on international supply chains if the crisis continues.
For now, the full restoration of connectivity will depend on the evolution of the conflict and the gradual reopening of the affected airspaces.
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