Middle East Airports Face $1 Billion Air Cargo Loss Amid Regional Conflict
Nine Middle Eastern airports collectively lost 620,000 tonnes of air cargo between late February and late April, a 52% year-on-year reduction. While April showed a slight recovery, volumes remained 43% below the previous year, highlighting significant operational and economic…
Nine airports across the Middle East recorded a substantial decline in air cargo throughput, losing a combined 620,000 tonnes from the end of February to the end of April. This figure represents a 52% decrease compared to the same period last year. Although April indicated a partial recovery, handling 312,000 tonnes, this volume was still 43% lower than the previous year's figures.
This downturn is attributed to the ongoing military conflict in the Gulf region, which has severely disrupted air logistics operations and trade flows. The economic impact is estimated to be around $1 billion in lost revenue for the affected airports.
For freight forwarders and supply chain managers, this situation translates into reduced capacity and potential rerouting challenges for air cargo transiting through or originating from the Middle East. Shippers may experience increased lead times and higher costs due to altered flight paths or reliance on alternative hubs. The instability could also lead to fluctuating rates and a need for more flexible logistics planning.