MUSCAT – The IATA report shows that ticket bookings to the Middle East for the June–September 2026 summer period is gradually recovering from the sharp decline of 63% recorded in March following the escalation of the Iran conflict on February 28, 2026.
Although forward ticket sales in May remained 30 percent below May 2025 levels, bookings increased consistently between March and May, signalling a gradual resumption of connectivity between the Middle East and global air travel markets.
Booking trends across other regions have shown mixed performance. Forward bookings for summer travel to Asia Pacific, Europe and North America remained at or above 2025 levels, although growth momentum slowed between March and May.
Compared to the same period in 2025, booking indices fell from 143 to 100 in Asia Pacific, from 102 to 91 in Europe, and from 107 to 99 in North America.
IATA noted that part of the slowdown in these markets reflects higher fuel and ticket prices, with jet fuel prices roughly doubling since late February, impacting overall airfare levels.
The report added that global booking patterns highlight the responsiveness of the air transport network to regional disruptions. During the peak of the Middle East disruption, Asia Pacific saw the strongest increase in bookings, while subsequent recovery in Middle East capacity has led to some rebalancing of demand.
It also observed sharper declines in summer bookings in Africa and Europe during April and May, underscoring their reliance on Middle Eastern transit hubs.
While bookings to the Middle East remain below 2025 levels, IATA said they have been steadily improving since April, reflecting the region’s continued importance in global air connectivity.
The association added that rerouting and capacity shifts seen across other regions are likely temporary adjustments rather than structural changes, and that the Middle East is expected to gradually regain lost traffic if stability continues.