The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, while thousands of flights have been cancelled. Global air travel remains severely disrupted, with many people still unable to fly as planned after the Iran war forced the closure of major Middle Eastern hubs, including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. Travel experts have warned that holiday costs could rise if the war in the Middle East continues.
Rising fuel costs and flight price increases are directly tied to the conflict. The north-west European jet fuel price has risen to $1,500 per tonne, compared to $830 per tonne before the air strikes on Iran. The rise in oil prices driven by the Middle East conflict has pushed up aviation fuel costs, which account for up to 30% of airline operating costs.
Flight prices to Majorca have risen by 15% amid uncertainty generated by the war in the Middle East, and flights to Asia have seen the biggest price increases. A 15-day ceasefire was agreed between Donald Trump and Iran, which brought about an immediate fall in oil prices. However, market analysts and airlines have said it will take time for flight prices to come down, and there is no guarantee the ceasefire will hold.
Travelers are increasingly shifting to domestic holidays as overseas travel becomes problematic. Premier Cottages has reported a 23% increase in property bookings compared to the same period last year, as ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt overseas travel plans. UK holiday companies are already seeing 'similar patterns' to the pandemic, when prices surged by up to 100%, with some Brits being charged more than £1,000 for a short break.
Google searches for 'UK holiday cottage' have surged by 260% this month.