Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways’ extended suspension of its Middle Eastern flights is likely to have a limited financial impact on its passenger operations as its expanded European services should help offset losses, aviation experts have said.
But they warned of broader effects on its cargo business, given the loss of the Middle East as a historically cost-effective transit route and the upwards pressure on fuel and insurance prices due to the war.
The airline announced on Tuesday it was prolonging its suspension of flights to and from the Middle East until the end of May, its fourth extension since the US-Israeli war on Iran broke out in late February.
It affects flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, as well as Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
To handle the surge in demand for flights to Europe, the airline will operate three additional return flights to Paris and Zurich next month. It will also add seats on 13 return flights to London.
Independent civil aviation analyst Jason Li Hanming said it was wise for Cathay to expand its routes to Europe, which would help offset any losses from suspending passenger operations in the Middle East.
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