Why Just 30 Minutes Can Strain the System: Middle East Airspace Crisis Hits Gulf Hubs

Disruptions introduce unpredictability into a system where buffer times are minimal by design.

Rising tensions in the Middle East are forcing airlines to reroute flights in a major stress-test for the Gulf’s ultra-efficient aviation hubs.

Many international airports across the region rely on slick transit connections that often hinge on minutes, not hours. For example, the minimum connection time in Doha – home to Qatar Airways – is just 45 minutes between flights.

Earlier this year, Etihad Airways cut its transit threshold for non-U.S. departures from 60 minutes to just 45 minutes in Abu Dhabi. Connections at Dubai International Airport – one of the world’s busiest – can be as little as an hour.

As airlines reroute aircraft to avoid conflict zones, what may seem like minor detours can have outsized effects on tightly calibrated operations.

Until the recent spike in violence, many local carriers relied upon Iraqi and Iranian airspace for services to Europe and North America. With no immediate let-up in the regional conflict, some airlines are taking a proactive approach.

On Sunday, Qatar Airways issued a travel alert advising passengers of schedule changes. The carrier said it i