MUSCAT : With limited aircraft availability and disruptions to commercial aviation, airports in Oman and Saudi Arabia have emerged as key exit hubs for high-net-worth individuals seeking to travel to Europe.

According to Forbes, the cost of chartering a light private jet from Muscat, Oman, to Istanbul, Turkey, has climbed to more than $93,000, nearly double the usual rate. Meanwhile, chartering a heavy jet on the same route can cost up to $140,000, reflecting the surge in demand for private aviation as travelers look for quick ways out of the region.

Reports indicate that prices on some routes have risen even higher. Semafor cited Ameerh Naran, chief executive of private jet brokerage Vimana Private, who said charter flights from Riyadh to Europe could cost as much as $350,000.

As tensions continue to impact regional travel, airports in Oman and Saudi Arabia have reportedly become major travel hubs for ultra-wealthy passengers seeking to depart quickly. According to people familiar with the situation quoted by Semafor, private security companies have been arranging fleets of SUVs to transport travelers on a 10-hour drive from Dubai to Riyadh, from where they can board private jets to destinations outside the Middle East.

Those attempting to leave include senior executives from global finance firms as well as wealthy travelers who were visiting the region for business or leisure.

The surge in demand has also led to a spike in evacuation flights. A spokesperson for Air Charter Service, a global private jet brokerage and freight transport company, confirmed that the firm has already arranged more than 10 evacuation flights, with additional charters scheduled in the coming days.

The spokesperson told FOX Business that many of the flights are departing from Oman, with passengers primarily seeking to leave Dubai, where disruptions to commercial aviation have complicated travel plans.

Dubai’s main aviation hubs, Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC), reopened on March 2 with limited operations, according to The Economic Times, after earlier disruptions linked to the military developments.

However, with uncertainty lingering and limited commercial options available, many travelers with financial means are choosing private aviation despite the soaring costs. Industry insiders say the limited supply of aircraft has pushed prices sharply higher, although some passengers are trying to cut costs by booking shorter charter flights out of the region before continuing their journey on commercial airlines.

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