According to ForwardKeys Travel, international flight bookings have witnessed a decline globally since the commencement of the Swords of Iron War.
The analysis highlights a more pronounced decrease in North America, where an increasing number of individuals are canceling trips to not only the Middle East but also other parts of the world.
Data: Flight bookings down at least 10%
As per the latest report, international flight bookings from North America experienced a 10% drop in the three weeks following the initiation of the war on October 7, compared to the preceding three weeks. In the Middle East, there was a corresponding 9% decrease in the overall region’s international flight bookings.
Specifically, international flight bookings to the Middle East plummeted by approximately 26% in the three weeks post-October 7. On a global scale, international flight bookings registered an average decline of around 5%.
Examining neighboring countries, flight bookings to Egypt decreased by approximately 26% since the conflict’s onset, to Jordan by about 49%, and to Lebanon by roughly 74%.
ForwardKeys also notes a noticeable decrease in orders to Oman, despite its considerable geographical distance from Israel.
‘Catastrophic and heartbreaking’
Olivier Ponti, vice president of insights for ForwardKeys, commented on the situation, explaining that the Swords of Iron war is a “catastrophic, heartbreaking human tragedy” that the world is watching on TV. He said this has led people to postpone travel to the region, as well as to other destinations.
Ponti said that despite the conflict in Israel being geographically limited so far, his team suspects that some consumers are hesitant to book a visit to Europe or the western Mediterranean. The impact of the fighting on the demand for travel to the Middle East may extend beyond Christmas and even later to neighboring countries, Ponti predicted.