Middle East aviation activity is recovering strongly after disruption caused by the Israel-Iran-US conflict, though operations remain below normal levels due to longer routes and changing fleet patterns, according to new analysis from aviation intelligence firm IBA.
Jordan Amos, Aircraft Asset Manager at IBA, says: “Major
Gulf hubs have moved from acute disruption towards sustained recovery over the
past three months, with flight activity increasing significantly as airspace
restrictions ease and confidence returns across the region.”
Major regional hubs have seen significant rebounds in flight
activity. Abu Dhabi increased from 174 daily flights in March to 462 in June,
Doha rose from 42 to 570 daily flights, and Dubai recovered from 499 to 844
daily flights.
While capacity has not fully returned to pre-conflict
levels, the recovery signals improving market stability.
Airlines have also reduced aircraft parked during the
disruption as fleets return to service.
Qatar Airways cut inactive aircraft from a peak of 181 in
March to 45 in June, while Emirates reduced parked aircraft from 44 to 28, with
Etihad and flydubai also restoring operations.
However, operational challenges continue, with average
Europe-Asia flight times increasing from nine hours in February to nine hours
and 47 minutes in June due to longer routings around restricted airspace.
IBA said the region is moving beyond the crisis phase, but
airlines and lessors continue to adjust to ongoing changes in routing, fleet
use and capacity planning. -TradeArabia News Service