Syria recorded nearly 12,000 overflights in May after airlines altered their routes across the region to avoid airspaces affected by recent regional developments.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) praised Saudi Arabia’s air traffic management during recent regional geopolitical tensions, commending its efficiency, resilience, and ability to maintain smooth and safe operations despite challenging circumstances in the region.
The escalating conflict in the Middle East is costing the region’s Travel & Tourism sector about $600 million a day in lost international visitor spending, as disruptions to air travel, declining traveller confidence and weakened regional connectivity begin to hit demand, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The global air passenger demand in 2025 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 5.3% compared to 2024, according to an International Air Transport Association (IATA) report.
