War’s latest impact on travel: Flight tickets in Europe to get pricier

The incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace raises not only security concerns but may also hit travellers’ wallets. Airlines could face higher operational costs due to enforced detours and stricter safety measures, which may lead to more expensive flight tickets, experts caution.

Drones in Polish airspace

Several Russian drones were shot down over Poland on Wednesday with the support of NATO aircraft. This marked the first instance of a NATO member state taking direct action since the onset of the Russia–Ukraine war. During the incident, Warsaw’s Chopin and Modlin airports, as well as regional airports in Rzeszów and Lublin in eastern Poland, were closed temporarily; traffic has since resumed. However, the Polish government has imposed flight restrictions near the Ukrainian and Belarusian borders until 9 December.

For safety reasons, airlines may opt for more westerly routes, schedule flights during daylight hours, and carry additional fuel to prepare for potential diversions. These measures resemble cautionary protocols commonly employed in the Middle East.

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Rising flight ticket costs, longer routes

Even before the war, airspace over several regions was problematic. Airlines have had to avoid Russia, Ukraine, the Middle East, India, Pakistan, and parts of Africa. Each additional minute of flight time adds an average of USD 1.56 to operational costs; longer routes are already increasing flight ticket prices by dozens of dollars.

Although Wednesday’s airspace violation in Poland caused only minimal short-term disruption, airline stocks quickly took a hit. According to Reuters, British Airways parent company IAG fell by 4.1 per cent, while Lufthansa, easyJet and Ryanair each lost around 2.2 per cent in market value.

Uncertainty and risk

Experts describe the incident as a “wake-up call” for Europe, suggesting similar incursions could become more frequent. Airlines and insurers alike fear that repeated drone flights or airstrikes in the Middle East may present long-term risks.

The worst-case scenario would be the accidental or deliberate downing of a civilian aircraft. Precedents exist: in 2020, an Iranian missile defence system mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane over Tehran, and there have been several similar incidents involving commercial airliners during armed conflicts.

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What does this mean for travellers?

Heightened geopolitical tensions are making operations more costly for European airlines, which could in turn drive airfares even higher. Passengers may face not only longer travel times but also steeper flight ticket prices: yet another way the war is impacting daily life.

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