High airfare prices due to the Middle East conflict are expected to return to normal by late March, particularly for direct flights to Europe, as passengers avoid certain flight routes.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) noted that the Middle East situation has affected ticket prices on some routes and advised travelers to plan trips in advance. They confirmed that passengers are being assisted and no one is stranded at airports.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) revealed that ongoing tensions and flight disruptions in the Middle East region have caused many airlines based there to remain unable to resume normal services, except some flights from Oman. This has impacted international flight networks, especially routes relying on the Middle East as a transit hub.
This situation has led some passengers to change their travel routes from those requiring transfers in the Middle East to more direct flights between Asia and Europe, significantly increasing demand for seats on these direct routes.
As a result, tickets available on short notice tend to be in higher price brackets or sometimes hard to find, a pattern seen similarly in many countries across the region.
Monitoring travel trends, it is expected that the aviation situation and ticket prices will begin to ease from late March when more regional airlines resume services and flight networks approach normal operations.
During this period, CAAT recommends that travelers, especially on Asia-Europe routes, plan ahead to increase their chances of finding reasonably priced tickets. Those with flexible schedules might consider alternative routes through other countries still offering connecting flights to their destinations.
Regarding rising aviation fuel costs caused by the Middle East situation, CAAT is closely monitoring the impact and coordinating with airlines to assess effects on fares. They are also consulting relevant agencies to consider measures to balance ticket prices and reduce the burden on passengers.
Meanwhile, CAAT is closely overseeing passenger care for those affected by flight cancellations. Airlines have been providing support per Civil Aviation Commission Regulation No. 101 on passenger rights protection, and currently, there are no reports of passengers stranded at airports.