The Military action undertaken over the weekend in the Middle East has caused major disruption to freight and passengers. The Middle East is a critical global aviation hub connecting Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania.
Widespread airspace closures and airport disruptions are now having global ripple effects, including on air cargo capacity and schedule reliability.
Below is a recap of the situation at present:
Seafreight:
- Major shipping lines that were trialling Suez Canal transits under military escort via Bab el-Mandeb Strait have suspended services immediately and re-routed same via the Cape of Good Hope.
- Some carriers are already advising that a War Risk Surcharge will be applicable form load ports in Upper Gulf, Arabian Gulf and Persian Gulf. Further details to be advised.
Airfreight:
- Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar has been closed or heavily restricted.
- Major regional hub airports, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, have been shut.
- Thousands of passenger and cargo flights have been cancelled or rerouted, with aircraft and crews displaced globally, complicating recovery once airspace reopens.
Emirates (Dubai)
- Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai due to multiple regional airspace closures.
- Dubai International Airport sustained damage during Iranian strikes.
- Emirates has advised that services will resume only when conditions permit safe operations and that further updates will be issued.
Qatar Airways (Doha)
- Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to and from Doha following the closure of Qatari airspace.
- The airline has stated that operations will resume only once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority confirms the safe reopening of airspace.
- Qatar Airways has advised that a further update will be provided, noting that schedules may change at short notice.
Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi)
- Etihad has cancelled all flights to and from Abu Dhabi, advising customers that the situation remains dynamic.
- The airline has confirmed that additional updates will be issued as conditions evolve.
Other international carriers
- Multiple global airlines have cancelled or rerouted services due to the loss of safe overflight corridors.
- Cathay Pacific has confirmed suspensions affecting both passenger services and freighter operations at Dubai’s Al Maktoum airport, directly reducing global air cargo capacity.
Air Cargo Implications
The Gulf is a major global air cargo interchange, and the shutdown of Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi has significantly reduced available uplift.
- Airlines are facing longer routings, higher fuel burn and increased operating costs, placing upward pressure on air freight rates.
- Even after airspace reopens, network recovery is expected to be staged, due to aircraft and crew dislocation.
GPSM will keep all clients updated as soon as further news is available, we trust you understand that air cargo awaiting uplift or already en-route to Australia via above hubs could be delayed until the situation improves, our Customer Service Team will keep clients updated as best as possible given the limited information that airlines are going to be in a position to quickly confirm.