Conflict Halts Flight Path: Gulf Airlines Face Their Biggest Test Since Pandemic
War involving Iran has forced the Gulf’s big carriers—Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad—to cancel tens of thousands of flights, affecting about six million passengers and risking a tourism revenue hit of $34–$56 billion this year. The disruption highlights the region’s hub-based aviation model and the carriers’ cash reserves, which analysts say should help them recover faster once the conflict subsides, though smaller airlines may struggle and some routes could see temporary shifts as travelers seek alternatives.
