Flight and holiday prices for Easter and summer are expected to soar
Things are changing all the time(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The conflict in the Middle East is causing travel problems including airspace closures, flight cancellations, and instances of tourists being stranded in places like Dubai. Two major air hubs have shut down affecting key international travel routes.
With the conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran ongoing flight and holiday prices for Easter and summer are expected to go up for several reasons.
But what does all this mean for your holiday? Here’s the latest travel advice and a summary of the main travel risks: flight cancellations, possible delays, airspace closures, increased travel costs, and safety advisories in affected regions.
Consider these before booking your trip and follow our senior travel reporter, Portia Jones, on TikTok for the latest travel updates.
Flight prices are rising
The conflict is pushing up oil prices, which makes energy more expensive. Airlines are raising ticket prices because fuel costs are going up. After labour jet fuel is the biggest expense for airlines.
According to Reuters operators Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand are raising fares because of the Middle East conflict. This shows that airlines worldwide are struggling with the sudden jump in fuel prices.
Oil prices are now at or above $100 per barrel underscoring how unstable the situation has become due to the US-Iran conflict. This is also affecting global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Hormuz trade route in the Persian Gulf remains blocked by Iran and attacks on tankers, refineries, and oil facilities are still happening.
Since this important route handles about 20-25% of the world’s seaborne oil trade any disruption creates a significant supply-and-demand imbalance and adds to global risk.
Travellers are already seeing higher prices. Flights from Europe to Asia, which usually cost £350-700, now cost more than £1,700 for a return ticket. Premium long-haul flights have also become much more expensive.
Airlines like Emirates are operating on a limited schedule, which is affecting fares, which are likely to remain high until a “full” 100% capacity is reached, which is currently aimed for by March 29.
If leading Gulf carriers like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways restart medium to full flight operations the pressure on airfares could ease rapidly helping ticket prices stabilise.
However Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, told passengers higher fuel prices will not affect Ryanair’s ticket prices. “We’re hedged for the next 12 months…so it won’t affect our costs and it won’t affect our low fares,” he said. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter.
Travellers are changing their plans
People are making changes(Image: Getty Images)
British tourists planning to visit destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi are advised to review their travel plans. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its advice due to the conflict.
The Foreign Office currently warns against travel to the UAE and urges those already in destinations like Dubai and Qatar to shelter in place and to limit movements to “essential journeys only”.
Because of this many travellers are now changing their Easter and summer holiday plans and choosing to avoid the UAE and nearby countries due to the conflict.
HotelPlanner’s latest data shows cancellations for trips to the Middle East have doubled since the conflict started. This means far fewer people are travelling to the region, according to HotelPlanner CEO and co-founder Tim Hentschel.
He added many Brits are now choosing European holidays closer to home instead of long-haul trips to the region.
“Destinations such as Malta, Portugal, Croatia, and Italy have seen a boost in interest for Easter. Currently the number of Easter bookings in these destinations is twice the number of bookings for 2025 Easter bookings made by mid-March 2025.”
Airlines such as Qantas are also seeing more sales for flights to Europe as travellers change their plans to avoid the Middle East.
Budget carrier Ryanair is reporting experiencing a spike in bookings for European flights especially around Easter. A spokesman stated that while bookings to the Middle East have declined significantly demand for short-haul flights within Europe has increased considerably.
“But I don’t think it has any fundamental change or impact on longer-term booking trends into May, June, and July,” they added.
Tour companies like Intrepid Travel are reporting a difference in how people book trips. “We’re seeing some booking patterns change over the past couple of weeks due to the Middle East impact on our trips in Jordan and Egypt and due to flight disruptions,” a spokesman for the company said.
They also pointed out that interest in European destinations is rising – especially for Italy and Greece, which are up 32% year-on-year. Central and South America are also up 23% year-on-year.
This increase in demand for European and Caribbean destinations can push up prices as more travellers try to book packages, hotels and resorts. Booking early is advised to avoid significant price changes.
Airspace is still not fully open
Airspace across the Middle East remains restricted leading to cancellations, rerouted flights, and delays. These issues can also drive up airline prices.
Only a few repatriation flights are operating and they are often delayed or cancelled as airports like Dubai temporarily close due to intercepted drone strikes.
Dubai International Airport is the busiest hub in the Asia Pacific and Middle East with flights to 291 destinations operated by 108 international airlines.
Because of current restrictions many airlines flying through Dubai to destinations like the Maldives are cancelling, delaying, or rerouting flights to avoid the affected airspace.
This is also affecting other routes since planes now have to use a much narrower flight path.
Travellers are being extra-cautious
With ongoing travel disruption many travellers are looking at their insurance options and planning ahead.
Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert at GoCompare, said: “Our latest data shows that travel insurance sales for destinations potentially affected by the Middle East conflict have risen sharply compared with the same period last year.”
He added Turkey was up 80.7%, Cyprus 90.2%, Qatar 25.7%, and Bahrain 50% suggesting those who hadn’t yet taken out travel insurance have been reminded to and there is an extra layer of caution for most travellers at the moment.
“We’ve also seen a clear shift in behaviour with an 18% increase in customers taking out travel insurance within six months of travelling. This suggests many people are recognising the importance of securing cover early.
“Wherever you’re heading it’s always a good idea to buy travel insurance as soon as you book. Early cover provides the strongest protection if your plans change unexpectedly whether it’s travel issues or illness.”
If you are looking to travel in the coming months make sure you take out robust travel insurance and read the terms and conditions carefully.
Since the conflict is now considered a “known event” many standard policies purchased today will not cover new claims related to it if you travel to any countries the FCDO warns against.
To get specific protection for war-related disruption you may need specialised, higher-priced “high-risk” or “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) policies.
