Middle East Airports Lose 27M Passengers as Skies Stay Risky

Nine major Middle Eastern airports lost an estimated 27 million passengers and up to $1 billion in revenue during March and April 2026, according to Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East.

The report, prepared with Flare Aviation Consulting, measured the impact of the Gulf conflict on regional aviation.  

ACI did not name the airports, but said they handled 324 million passengers in 2025. This makes them a major part of the Middle East aviation system. These hubs are also important for global travel because many passengers use them to connect between Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Flight capacity fell as airlines avoided restricted airspace

The affected airports operated at only 53 percent of their planned schedules in March and April. On the first day of the conflict, activity dropped to 32 percent of scheduled capacity. By the final week of April, operations recovered to about 63 percent, but they were still far below normal levels.

The disruption mattered beyond the Middle East. Gulf airports are key transfer points for long-haul East-West travel. ACI said airspace restrictions removed nearly one-fifth of connecting capacity through Middle Eastern hubs, forcing airlines to cut flights, reroute aircraft, or shift passengers through other regions.

Passenger losses created a large revenue gap

Passenger traffic across the nine airports fell by about 54 percent year over year in March and April. This left the airports with an estimated revenue shortfall of $900 million to $1 billion, equal to about 55 percent of expected revenue for the period.

Fares rose as travelers had fewer options

Travelers also faced higher prices. ACI said airfares to and from the Middle East for July and August 2026 were about 50 percent above pre-conflict levels. The main reason was reduced airline competition, not higher airport charges.

When airlines reduce capacity or avoid certain routes, available seats become limited. Longer routings also increase fuel burn and operating costs. This makes some flights more expensive to run and gives passengers fewer route choices, especially on long-haul trips that normally connect through Gulf hubs.

Recovery may be slow through the summer

ACI said the wider Asia-Pacific and Middle East aviation market remains resilient, but recovery depends on several factors. Airports and airlines need safer airspace access, clearer regulatory guidance, more stable fuel prices, and stronger passenger confidence before traffic can return to normal.

The Iran war has already affected several parts of aviation, from airport traffic and airline operations to fuel costs and ticket prices. Restricted airspace, longer routings, and higher jet fuel prices pushed up costs for airlines, especially on Europe Asia and Europe Australia routes.

Photo by Karim Mokalled on Unsplash