Middle East airports have suffered severe operational and financial disruption following ongoing regional conflict, significantly impacting global passenger connectivity cargo flows and airline operations.
Airports Council International Asia Pacific and Middle East has warned that ongoing military conflict in the Gulf is placing severe operational and financial pressure on airports across the Middle East, with significant consequences for global aviation connectivity.
The assessment, produced in partnership with Flare Aviation Consulting, examined the impact of the conflict on nine major Middle Eastern airports between March and April 2026.
Middle East airport disruption impacts global passenger and cargo connectivity
According to the report, the airports collectively handled 324 million passengers during 2025, representing around 70 per cent of total Middle Eastern passenger traffic.
During the two month assessment period, operations across the airports fell to an average of just 53 per cent of scheduled flight capacity.
On the first day of the conflict, operational capacity dropped to as low as 32 per cent before partially recovering to approximately 63 per cent by the end of April.
ACI APAC & MID stated that the disruption has had major implications for global east west connectivity, particularly for routes linking Asia Pacific with Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Approximately 197 million passengers travelled annually between Asia Pacific and western destinations in 2025, with around 18 per cent of those passengers connecting through affected Middle Eastern hubs.
The report estimates that around 27 million passengers were unable to travel as planned during March and April, representing a 54 per cent year on year decline across the airports studied.
Cargo operations also experienced major disruption, with freight volumes falling by approximately 620,000 tonnes compared with the same period in 2025.
The financial impact on airports has been equally significant.
According to the report, the airports collectively recorded estimated revenue losses between US$900 million and US$1 billion during the two month period, equivalent to around 55 per cent of anticipated revenues.
ACI APAC & MID warned that these losses present major structural cash flow challenges for airport operators already managing large infrastructure investment programmes and fixed operational costs.
The disruption has also driven substantial increases in airfares on long haul routes between Asia and western markets.
The report stated that direct fares rose to approximately 185 per cent of 2025 baseline levels during March, while fares remain around 50 per cent above pre conflict levels heading into the summer period.
Despite rising ticket prices, the organisation stressed that airport charges remained unchanged throughout the crisis and were not responsible for fare increases.
At the same time, airports across Asia Pacific are facing additional pressure from rising jet fuel prices.
According to an ACI APAC & MID survey covering 28 airport operators, fuel availability remains stable but prices continue to remain significantly above pre conflict levels.
Many airports have implemented mitigation measures including contingency planning, reserve fuel stocking and supplier coordination.
Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia Pacific & Middle East, said the scale of disruption demonstrates the critical importance of Middle Eastern airports within the global aviation system.
He warned that prolonged instability throughout the summer period could create further risks for airport financial sustainability and broader aviation connectivity.
Looking ahead, the report forecasts a gradual “swoosh shaped” recovery rather than a rapid rebound, with continued airspace restrictions, security concerns and elevated fuel prices expected to affect airline capacity and passenger demand in the short to medium term.
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