Germany's biggest airline sees soaring demand for direct flights

"The massive bundling of global traffic flows via the Gulf hubs is increasingly proving to be a geopolitical Achilles' heel. With the major transfer hubs in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi all effectively shut down, the Lufthansa Group says it is looking into increasing direct connections to Singapore, India, China and South Africa."

"Tens of thousands of tourists remain stranded in Gulf, awaiting flights that are departing sporadically. The war has also caused major disruptions even in far-flung parts of the world, since the Gulf is a major air hub. For example, thousands of holidaymakers have been left stuck on the popular Indonesian island destination of Bali."

"US and Israeli airstrikes against Iran, and Iranian retaliatory attacks across the region, mean that a number of countries have closed their airspace. Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, and high tensions between Russia and the European Union, also mean that air travel over those countries is highly restricted."

Middle East conflicts have closed major transfer hubs in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, forcing Lufthansa to expand direct connections from Europe to Singapore, India, China, and South Africa. US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran and Iranian retaliatory attacks, combined with restricted airspace over Russia and Ukraine, have severely disrupted global air travel. Tens of thousands of tourists remain stranded in Gulf regions and distant locations like Bali, awaiting sporadic departures. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr highlighted how concentrated traffic through Gulf hubs represents a geopolitical vulnerability. High-profile impacts include German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier postponing his planned trip to Indonesia and the Philippines due to insufficient safe flight options.

Read at The Local Germany