Carriers including Cathay Pacific Airways, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air Lines and Qantas Airways have expanded capacity to Europe in recent weeks, citing strong passenger demand and a redirection of long-haul traffic that previously flowed through Gulf hubs.

Cathay Pacific said it added flights in March and April to meet increased demand, with Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau attributing the surge to passengers opting for alternative routings via Asia. The airline expects elevated demand to continue through April, supported by seasonal travel and higher long-haul bookings.

Singapore Airlines reported its Europe-bound seat occupancy rose to 93.5% in March from 79.7% a year earlier, marking its strongest regional growth. The airline said the increase was partly driven by spillover demand as capacity through Middle Eastern hubs declined.

Before the conflict, Gulf carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways accounted for roughly one-third of passenger traffic between Asia and Europe, according to aviation data firm Cirium, and carried more than half of travelers flying onward to Australia, New Zealand and Pacific destinations.

While Gulf airlines have begun restoring operations, reaching at least 60% of pre-conflict flight levels based on Flightradar24 data, they continue to face headwinds. Travel advisories, including warnings from Australia against transiting through parts of the Middle East, have reduced passenger confidence and insurance coverage options, pushing travelers toward alternative routes.

As a result, fares on routes bypassing the Gulf have risen significantly. Data from Google Travel shows economy-class tickets between Sydney and London via non-Middle East routes costing substantially more than those transiting through Gulf hubs.

Bank of America analysts said pricing strength and market share gains for Asian carriers on Europe routes could persist for six to 12 months even after the conflict ends, citing forward booking trends and continued traveler caution.

Korean Air reported a 47.3% rise in first-quarter operating income to 517 billion won ($349.38 million), with the airline linking part of the increase to higher Europe-bound demand. Passenger revenue on European routes rose 18% year-on-year, the carrier said.

Qantas has also reallocated capacity to capitalize on the shift, expanding flights to destinations such as Paris and Rome while reducing exposure to other markets.Airservices Australia said traffic between Australia and the Middle East fell 77% year-on-year in March, with routes increasingly diverted through Asian hubs including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul.

Analysts say these cities are likely to consolidate their positions as alternative transit hubs if disruptions in the Gulf persist, reshaping long-haul travel patterns between Asia, Europe and beyond.

Major transit centers including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi have faced closures or limited operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and prompting carriers to adjust schedules deep into the summer and, in some cases, later in the year.

The disruption has affected both passenger and cargo operations, with airlines citing safety concerns and restricted airspace.European carriers have taken some of the most extensive measures.

The Lufthansa Group has suspended flights to multiple destinations including Dubai, Tel Aviv and Tehran until at least late May, with several routes halted through October. Air France-KLM has similarly paused services to key regional cities, while Finnair continues to avoid airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel.

North American carriers have also scaled back operations. Delta Air Lines has cancelled its New York–Tel Aviv route and delayed the restart of other Israel-bound services, while Air Canada has suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai until September.

Middle Eastern airlines are operating under constrained conditions. Emirates reported a reduced flight schedule following partial reopening of regional airspace, while Etihad Airways said it continues to operate a limited network from Abu Dhabi.Asian carriers have also adjusted capacity.

Cathay Pacific has cancelled flights to Dubai and Riyadh until June while adding capacity to European destinations to meet shifting demand. Singapore Airlines extended its Dubai suspension through May and increased flights to London and Melbourne.

Several low-cost and regional carriers, including Wizz Air and Pegasus Airlines, have halted services to multiple Middle Eastern destinations, reflecting the broad impact across the aviation sector.

Airlines have also begun reallocating capacity to Europe, Africa and parts of Asia, where demand has surged as passengers reroute travel plans away from the conflict zone. Some carriers, including Qantas, have increased frequencies on European routes to accommodate displaced demand.

The evolving situation has created uncertainty for airlines and travelers alike, with many carriers indicating that further schedule adjustments will depend on security conditions and airspace availability in the coming weeks.