Middle East conflict and the future of global aviation stability

The escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East has once again exposed the vulnerability of the global aviation system to regional conflict. Major international hubs such as Dubai International Airport and Doha’s Hamad International Airport have been forced to suspend operations, while leading global carriers including Emirates and Qatar Airways have cancelled hundreds of flights. The disruption has rippled far beyond the region, affecting global connectivity, international trade routes, and passenger confidence in air travel. How do airlines balance commercial profitability with safety and geopolitical risk? Dr Guy Leitch, Aviation analyst