Airfares Are Set to Rise: How Do Wars and Oil Prices Affect Flight Costs?

The global air travel market is experiencing a new wave of price hikes due to the war and rising oil prices. Find out why airfares are rising and how this will affect travel in 2026

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The global air travel market is once again facing pressures that are directly affecting passengers’ wallets. Against a backdrop of geopolitical instability, rising oil prices, and restrictions on air travel, experts predict that airfares will continue to rise. This is reported by The Times of Israel.

Resumption of flights in Israel and a new surge in prices

After 40 days of disruptions due to the war with Iran, Israel’s main airport—Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv—is resuming full operations. According to The Times of Israel, local airlines are already operating at full capacity, increasing the number of flights and ticket sales to meet demand ahead of the summer season.

However, the market situation remains tense. Foreign carriers are in no hurry to return to their routes, awaiting the results of the two-week ceasefire with Iran announced on April 7. As a result, the market has effectively found itself in a situation of limited competition.

As Yoni Waxman, deputy head of Ophir Tours, explained, prices are already rising rapidly due to an imbalance between supply and demand. The number of available seats is limited, while demand for travel—especially ahead of summer—has surged.

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The Impact of War and Oil: Why Are Tickets Getting More Expensive?

In addition to the shortage of flights, the rising cost of jet fuel is a key factor driving up prices. Due to the war in Iran, global oil prices have skyrocketed, directly impacting airlines’ costs.

According to Waxman, this is precisely what will lead to even higher prices in the coming weeks. In fact, passengers are paying not only for the ticket but also for the global risks that are shaping the new economy of air travel.

Restrictions on international flights have become another factor putting pressure on the market. As is known, the Dubai authorities have allowed foreign airlines to operate only one flight per day to their airports until May 31.

This decision has already caused concern among carriers, particularly Indian ones. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which represents companies such as IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, has appealed to the government to intervene.

If no resolution is reached, carriers are even considering imposing similar restrictions on airlines from Dubai, such as Emirates and flydubai.

Other factors are also complicating the situation. Indian airlines are already forced to operate under conditions of increased costs due to longer routes to Western destinations. The reason is the closure of Pakistan’s airspace, which has been in effect since last year due to military tensions.

This means higher fuel costs, longer flights, and, as a result, even higher prices for passengers.

All these factors—rising fuel prices, flight restrictions, geopolitical risks, and high demand—are shaping a new reality: cheap airline tickets are not to be expected in the near future. If you’re planning a trip in the coming months, it’s worth booking your tickets in advance—this helps you avoid sharp price hikes during peak periods. In particular, it’s convenient to book them online via Visit Ukraine.

We remind you! Due to the closure of Ukraine’s airspace, train travel from Ukraine to Europe remains one of the most convenient and popular ways to travel abroad. Read about which international trains will run from Ukraine in 2026, how to plan a route with transfers, and how much tickets cost for the most popular destinations.

Photo: ilixe48 / Freepik

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