Flights between Asia and Europe have become more expensive due to the shutdown of Middle Eastern hubs due to the U.S.-Israel conflict against Iran. Popular routes are already sold out on airline websites.

Dubai, the world’s busiest international airport, was closed for a fourth day on Tuesday, reducing capacity on popular routes like Australia to Europe, where Emirates and Qatar Airways have a large market share.

Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT.AX) in Australia has seen a 75% increase in customer calls during the crisis, with teams working 24/7 to assist affected customers. Global Managing Director Andrew Stark stated that Australians are resilient and rebooking flights to the UK/Europe via alternative routes via China, Singapore, and other Asian hubs, as well as North America via hubs.

Non-stop Asia-Europe flights can circumvent closed Middle Eastern airspace by traveling north through the Caucasus, Afghanistan, or south through Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.

However, it may increase travel times and fuel usage, perhaps leading to higher tickets in the long run due to rising oil prices.The entire Middle East is currently inaccessible, causing significant costs for some airlines, according to Subhas Menon, head of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.If Europe is only accessible at exorbitant expense, airline profitability will suffer. In the end, connectivity costs.”