Middle East crisis showcases trade’s expertise

The weekend strikes on Iran by the US and Israel were not unexpected, but the speed with which the wider region was engaged in the conflict took many by surprise.

The impact on airspace and transport infrastructure was immediate and caused disruption on a scale not seen since the pandemic.

And there were also echoes of the 2010 ash cloud, with the Gulf’s importance as a transit hub as well as a growing destination in itself having global implications and resulting in massive displacement of aircraft.

As Travel Weekly went to press there was no clear indication of when flight restrictions might be fully lifted, but limited air services were beginning to resume.

As is so often the case, the weekend demonstrated the worth of the travel trade, as agents and operators worked round the clock to support customers and keep them informed.

For many, that included liaison with clients who remain in the region pending the easing of restrictions, and for some those conversations were with friends and colleagues who either live in the Gulf or were visiting on personal holidays, business or fam trips.

The word resilient almost became overused during the pandemic, but time and again it is the most appropriate adjective to describe the travel trade in moments of crisis.

The impact of this conflict is certain to be significant for months to come and will have a major impact on many companies’ trading.

But for now, the trade can be proud of another exemplary showcase of the benefits of booking with a trusted travel professional.