Germany’s flagship airline Lufthansa has warned that the ongoing conflict involving Iran could weaken the Gulf carriers dominance on key Asian routes.
Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr said airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways may face increased operational risks due to their geographic positioning.
“The major hubs of the Gulf carriers are located in a region that is now clearly exposed to new risks,” he said, adding that the long-term implications for global air travel remain uncertain.
European connectivity concerns emerge
Mr Spohr also suggested that the situation could affect policy decisions in Europe, particularly discussions around expanding access for Gulf airlines at German airports.
“It weakens European sovereignty if we are increasingly less able to connect to the growing markets of Asia via our own routes,” he noted.
Despite uncertainties in Asia-bound travel, Lufthansa says it is seeing a shift in demand on transatlantic routes.
According to the CEO, the airline expects more American passengers than Europeans on North Atlantic flights this summer, reflecting changing travel patterns amid global economic and geopolitical developments.
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