Intercontinental flights from Asia to Europe are facing a severe capacity crunch as major airports across the Middle East remain closed for a fourth consecutive day

Seat availability on key routes has collapsed, ticket prices have soared to multiples of their normal levels, and airlines are being forced to reroute through longer, costlier corridors.

Passengers are feeling the pinch immediately, while Asian carriers are navigating a more complex reality: a surge in demand on one hand, and rising operating costs on the other.

The crisis was triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, prompting Tehran to retaliate with munitions targeting several Gulf states. Airspace across Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria, and Bahrain is now closed to civilian traffic, effectively cutting off some of the most heavily traveled corridors in global aviation.

With Gulf routes effectively off the table, carriers including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways are seeing a significant jump in demand. Reuters reported that analysts at Alton Aviation identified Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific as likely short-term beneficiaries, given their established nonstop networks between Asia and Europe.

Thai Airways, meanwhile, is reporting fully booked European flights as travelers seek to avoid Middle East transit altogether, according to Thailand’s Transport Minister.

The numbers show a clear pictre. Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong to London route showed no available economy seats until March 11, 2026, with the earliest ticket priced at around $2,705 one-way, compared to a more typical fare of roughly $648 later in the month. Qantas had no economy availability on its Sydney to London service until March 17, 2026, with that seat going for approximately $2,220.