Prepare for Turbulence: Prolonged Middle East Conflict Reshapes Air Travel - March 2026
A prolonged conflict in the Middle East has significantly disrupted global air travel, impacting major Gulf aviation hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, threatening the successful "Gulf model" of aviation which has made long-distance travel more affordable. South Korea is expanding fuel tax cuts to ease financial pressure on citizens amidst the ongoing Middle East conflict. The OECD projects global economic growth to slow to 2.9 percent in 2026, citing Middle East tensions as a significant risk factor. Meanwhile, India's fertiliser supplies are under strain due to shipping route disruptions caused by the war, raising concerns about potential impacts on farm produce and food prices. President William Ruto assured Kenyans that measures are in place to prevent fuel and commodity shortages amidst the crisis.
