Global air cargo operations have been severely disrupted by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, leaving shipments from fresh produce to critical airplane parts stranded and pushing up freight costs, Reuters reported Thursday.
The U.S. and Israeli air campaign against Iran has led to widespread grounding of both passenger and freighter flights across key hubs including Doha and Dubai, resulting in a 22 percent reduction in global air cargo capacity between February 28 and March 3 compared with the period before the Chinese New Year, according to aviation and logistics data firm Aevean.
The disruption has stalled time‑sensitive shipments such as temperature‑controlled pharmaceuticals, fresh fruit and high‑value parts needed for aircraft maintenance. Air cargo accounts for roughly one‑third of world trade by value, and logistics executives warn of growing backlogs as goods remain in limbo.
Middle Eastern carriers, which normally provide about 13 percent of global cargo capacity, have seen capacity on routes linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe plunge by 39 percent since the start of the conflict, even as direct China‑to‑Europe capacity has increased. Increased freight rates have already been reported on major corridors.
Some logistics firms see potential competitive advantages for carriers able to fly through alternative airspace, such as Russia’s, which could shorten routes and lower costs compared with traditional Gulf hub connections.
The ongoing instability in the region’s airspace threatens broader supply chains, particularly for goods requiring rapid delivery, and complicates efforts by airlines to maintain maintenance schedules and operations.