The war in Iran is changing global routes: tourists are avoiding flights through the Middle East, and airlines are urgently adapting their networks. European carriers are already increasing the number of direct flights to Asia and Africa to meet demand and minimize risks. Find out more about how this will affect travel in 2026

The war in Iran has had a significant impact on global aviation, forcing carriers and passengers to reconsider their usual routes. Due to the risks of flying over the Middle East and airspace restrictions, key transit hubs lost some passenger traffic. In response, European airlines have begun to actively expand their network of direct long-haul flights to Asia and Africa, adapting to the new market conditions.

In our previous article, we told you whether it is safe to travel to Cyprus, Egypt, and the Middle East.

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Why are tourists refusing to make connections in the Middle East?

The war in Iran has affected not only regional but also global air travel. Due to the threat of shelling, changes in routes, and the unstable situation in the airspace, some passengers no longer want to fly through the Middle East even for the sake of convenient connections. This is especially true of the popular hubs in Dubai and Doha, which have long been key transit points for flights from Europe to Asia and Africa.

For many travelers, safety is now more important than the price of a ticket or the length of the trip. That is why direct flights have come to be perceived not just as more comfortable, but also as a more predictable and psychologically calm option. Against this backdrop, demand for long-haul non-stop routes has grown significantly, and airlines have begun to quickly adapt to the new passenger behavior.

European airlines are increasing the number of direct flights

The demand for direct long-haul routes has forced European carriers to quickly revise their route policies. Some flights were added in response to the crisis, while others were strengthened by adding more seats or increasing the frequency of flights.

The key changes include:

1. Lufthansa - added flights between Munich (Germany) and Singapore, as well as expanded its route to Cape Town (South Africa)

2. Austrian Airlines - launched additional flights from Vienna (Austria) to Bangkok (Thailand)

3. Air France - increased the capacity and frequency of flights to Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai (India), Shanghai (China) and Tokyo (Japan)

4. British Airways - added additional flights to Bangkok and Singapore

 

Such steps allow airlines to reduce dependence on transit hubs in the Middle East and offer passengers more direct and stable travel routes.

In our previous article, we told you that experts predict a 30% drop in tourist traffic in the Middle East.

New routes to Asia: a trend that started before the crisis

Despite the impact of the war in Iran, the expansion of the route network to Asia is not solely a reaction to the crisis. European airlines had planned to increase the number of flights even earlier, due to the consistently high demand for long-haul travel after the pandemic.

New and planned destinations include:

1. Lufthansa - launches flights from Frankfurt to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

2. British Airways - launches flights to Colombo (Sri Lanka) and plans daily flights from London (UK) to Melbourne (Australia) via Kuala Lumpur

3. Virgin Atlantic - launches daily flights from London to Seoul (South Korea)

Thus, even without taking into account the geopolitical situation, Asia remains one of the key areas of development for European carriers. However, the crisis has accelerated these processes and made direct flights even more popular among travelers.

European airlines are opening new destinations in Africa

Along with Asia, European carriers are actively expanding their route network to Africa. Interest in the region is growing among both tourists and airlines looking for alternative markets and routes outside of risk zones.

The new destinations include:

1. Air Europa - plans to launch flights from Madrid (Spain) to Johannesburg (South Africa)

2. Aegean Airlines - launches flights from Athens (Greece) to Casablanca (Morocco)

3. EasyJet - has already launched direct flights from London (Gatwick Airport) to Cape Verde, and plans to add a route from Bristol

Expansion of destinations to Africa allows to diversify routes and reduce dependence on congested or risky transit zones. In addition, it opens up new opportunities for tourists to travel to less explored but promising regions.

Earlier, we told you that airfares to Asia have risen sharply due to the war between the United States and Israel against Iran.

How it affects tourists and ticket prices

Changes in air travel have already had a significant impact on the travel market. Due to the need to avoid dangerous zones and simultaneously meet growing demand, airlines are changing flight logistics, which directly affects ticket prices and route availability.

In particular, due to longer routes and additional fuel costs, airfares are gradually rising. At the same time, passengers have more options for direct flights, which avoids stopovers in the Middle East and makes travel more predictable. Against this backdrop, the geography of tourism is also changing: travelers are more likely to choose destinations within Europe, including Italy, Spain, Malta, and Croatia.

At the same time, the market remains unstable, with airlines forced to constantly adjust routes due to airspace restrictions, which can affect flight schedules and require tourists to plan their trips more carefully.

No matter how well thought out your itinerary is, there is always room for force majeure when traveling. Unexpected medical expenses, transportation delays, or problems with luggage can ruin your plans and budget. Travel insurance helps you avoid unnecessary worries in such situations. You can apply for a travel insurance policy for a specific trip online at Visit World - quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy!

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We remind you! Some countries are island states with political neutrality, which means that the likelihood of military conflict is quite low. Read more about the countries that are likely to participate in World War III and the top safest countries in the world.

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