The US-Israel attack on Iran has thrown the Middle East’s aviation industry into chaos with regional airspace closures and mass flight cancellations.
International airports in Doha, Qatar, and in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE have long been key regional hubs connecting Europe with Asia and Africa.
With these airports offering limited flight schedules – and many travellers understandably unwilling to fly through the region – European airlines are having to adapt their schedules.
Many carriers are now increasing their direct flight offering to cities across Asia and Africa to accommodate passenger demand.
Lufthansa is among the carriers increasing the number of flights being offered to Asia and Africa, with four extra flights between Munich and Singapore, and two flights to Cape Town, announced last week.
Austrian Airlines, which is part of the Lufthansa Group, has also added 10 special flights from Vienna to Bangkok and back.
The group made the decision due to a “significant increase in demand”, and said that further special flights are in the planning stages.
In response to the crisis Air France has been using larger capacity aircraft on its routes to Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai, Shanghai, Tokyo and Phuket. It will also add additional flights to Bangkok, Singapore and Delhi.
British Airways has also added extra services between Bangkok and Singapore in recent days.
