Over two weeks since the United States and Israel initiated their military operation in Iran, industries across the world immediately braced for impact. The travel sector hasn’t been immune, and a war now rages on.
According to CNBC, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the airline will see a “meaningful” impact on its quarterly finances, a result of higher fuel prices following the U.S. and Israel’s joint strikes against Iran. And the financial impact won’t just hit the company. Kirby noted that the influence of fuel costs on airfare will “probably start quick.” The CEO made his comments on March 5, less than a week after the U.S. and Israel launched their attack on February 28.
Amid the Iran War, the Strait of Hormuz – vital to global shipping and oil transit – is effectively shut down.
What Else Is There To Know About The Iran War’s Impact On Travel?
The Middle East is home to several of the world’s biggest and busiest airports, and the war has prompted widespread flight disruptions. The crisis has led to individual national airspace closures throughout the region. Sources vary on how many travelers have been stranded, or were stranded, as a result. Figures on the latter range from hundreds of thousands to over a million.
On March 11, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said that it estimates “the escalating conflict in Iran is already impacting the Travel and Tourism sector across the Middle East by at least $600 million (USD) per day in international visitor spending.” The source further highlighted that 14% of “global international transit traffic” happens in the Middle East, and 5% of all global international arrivals are in the region.
On March 13, Trump gave an updated comment on when the war may end. During an episode of Fox News Radio’s The Brian Kilmeade Show, he said, “When it’s over — and I don’t think it’s going to be long — when it’s over, this is going to bounce right back so fast.”
Kilmeade asked, “When are you going to know when it’s over?”
In response, Trump said, “When I feel it, feel it in my bones.”
