Prices of plane tickets between Asia & Europe surge amid Iran conflict: Bloomberg

Editor's note: Mar. 16: this article has been amended to better reflect prices on the SIA website.

Flights from Asia to Europe are seeing substantial price hikes as travellers compete to buy tickets with huge premiums on routes that avoid the Middle East.

Airspace closures have forced airlines, such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, to ground their flights after the strikes in Iran led by the U.S. and Israel.

This has allowed competitors, such as Singapore Airlines (SIA), which can fly non-stop between Europe and Asia, to meet demand, albeit with prices going up.

S$2,495 for one-way London to Singapore ticket

Checks on the SIA website by Mothership showed that a one-way economy ticket flying SIA from London Heathrow to Singapore costs £1,464.79 (S$2,495.80).

The lowest fares in March 2026 for the same one-way route cost £611.79 (S$1,042,77).

Disruptions from the airstrikes would prolong such sky-high ticket prices, which also allow for airlines to recoup losses from the surge in oil prices in the war, it was reported.

A resumption in operations for the region's carriers would only occur once the conflict is resolved or a ceasefire is brokered.

Middle East critical for travel & trade flows

About 10 per cent of daily international flight capacity by seat kilometres has been cut with the suspension of Gulf-state carriers Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad, according to BT.

Over 23,000 flights were cancelled through Mar. 5.

While a couple of evacuation flights were authorised, most of the Gulf's airspace remained closed to commercial flights.

The Middle East is home to major aviation hubs, such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, which are key stopovers for long-haul travellers.

Its airports handle about one-third of the 125 million people who travel between Europe and Asia each year, BT reported.

Association of Asia Pacific Airlines director general Subhas Menon said the Middle East Airlines are clearly under pressure and could be affected badly if the situation were prolonged.

Top photo from Troy Mortier/Unsplash