War In The Middle East

Recorded in Xi’an, China, at Routes Asia 2026, this episode explores the key themes shaping air service development across the Asia-Pacific region.

Some airlines are trimming capacity, but no signs suggest a surge in aircraft retirements is in the cards.

The abrupt drop in capacity on routes to and from the Middle East has impacted India’s airlines due to the importance of this traffic flow to their networks.

DAE reported an “exceptional” first quarter, despite the onset of the Gulf conflict two-thirds of the way through the period, CEO Firoz Tarapore said.

Two U.S. Navy MQ-4C Tritons suffered catastrophic mishaps within three weeks in April.

Jet2 says it is entering the summer 2026 season with a high degree of fuel hedging, which will help protect it from the turmoil of the Middle East conflict.

Indian airlines are calling on the government to take measures to ease the financial burden caused by surging fuel prices during the Middle East crisis.

Fiji Airways will suspend service between Nadi and Dallas-Fort Worth in September as rising fuel costs and shifting demand prompt the carrier to retrench on one of its longest-haul routes.

Emirates Airline President Tim Clark rejects European claims for more autonomy in air transport.

Mexican ULCC Volaris believes demand is holding steady as the company pushes through fare increases to offset rising fuel costs.

JetBlue is not ruling out the possibility of government support, describing the current fuel environment as the most significant headwind the industry has faced since COVID.

For 2026, Airbus continues to target 870 commercial aircraft deliveries and a €7.5 billion ($8.8 billion) adjusted operating profit.

Avia Solutions Group has put plans to create a new wet lease airline, Avion Express Philippines, on hold.

Europe’s regional airports are facing an “existential threat” from rising jet fuel prices, fragile demand and mounting policy pressures, ACI Europe warns.

Ascend Airways has filed for administration, suspended operations and is in the process of returning its 737-8s, citing high fuel prices and airline capacity cuts.

Passenger demand among Asia-Pacific carriers rose 11.3% year on year in March, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

A group of U.S. budget carriers is seeking $2.5 billion in government assistance to combat rapid increases in fuel costs spurred by the U.S. war with Iran.

Demand for all sorts of missiles—from air defense interceptors to deep-strike weapons—is starting to flow through to the earnings of major defense companies.

Conflict-related spikes in fuel prices could be a timely wake-up call for European investment in SAF production.

Thai AirAsia X has announced significant capacity cuts across most of its network, including frequency reductions and route suspensions.

Flights from Kuwait International Airport are scheduled to resume following an eight-week suspension of commercial air services after the airport was targeted in the Iran conflict.

Less than two years in, a transformational plan at Southwest Airlines is being “battle-tested” by fuel costs and geopolitical tensions, the CEO says.

The U.S. Treasury Department has designated additional aircraft, organizations and individuals connected to Iran’s Mahan Air for sanctions.

After a strong Q1 for MRO activities on the CFM56 and Leap turbofans, Safran is seeing no sign of a slowdown due to the war in the Middle East, its CEO says.

Nigeria’s federal government is considering debt relief measures as domestic airlines struggle with the Jet A1 fuel crisis that has threatened flight operations