Recent geopolitical tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran have led to significant disruptions in the Persian Gulf's major aviation hubs. As airspace closures persist, international travelers are increasingly opting for direct routes between Asia and Europe, resulting in a substantial rise in airfare prices.
At present, most direct flights from Beijing to Paris, especially in economy class, are fully booked for the upcoming week. Only limited premium and business seats remain available. For example, a typical economy ticket on an Air China flight scheduled for Sunday has sold out, with business class tickets priced at approximately 77,000 yuan (around $11,127).
Impact on Airfares and Routes
Similarly, ticket data reveal that economy fares on Air France's flights have increased more than threefold, reaching up to 26,000 yuan—well above the usual range of 5,000 to 8,000 yuan. Most economy seats for Sunday are no longer available, and only business class seats at 51,000 yuan remain for Monday.
“The Middle East accounts for a relatively small share of China’s international air route network,” said Guo Jia, a senior civil aviation analyst based in Guangzhou. “Major China-Europe flights typically fly via Central Asia and Turkey, rather than Middle Eastern airspace. Therefore, the direct impact of the conflict on Chinese carriers’ international routes is limited.”
Experts suggest that Chinese airlines might see higher demand for their established flights to Europe, Canada, and Australia due to the regional airspace restrictions and disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Gulf area.
