중동의 고조되는 지정학적 긴장으로 홍콩발 유럽, 미주, 심지어 일부 아시아 도시행 항공권 가격이 급등했다. 파리행 이코노미 클래스 왕복 요금은 HK$17,670부터 시작하며, 도쿄행 최저가는 HK$5,000에 육박한다. 업계 관계자들은 가격 상승을 공역 혼란, 항공편 결항, 급등하는 유가 탓으로 돌리고 있다.
중동의 최근 상황 악화가 항공 여행을 혼란에 빠뜨렸으며, 특히 지역 허브를 경유하는 노선에 영향을 미쳤다. 사우스차이나모닝포스트에 따르면, 목요일 출발 홍콩-파리행 최저 이코노미 클래스 왕복 요금은 HK$17,670(US$2,260)이었으며, 일부 항공사는 특정 구간의 이코노미 좌석 매진으로 HK$91,776까지 청구했다. 모든 나열된 여행 시간은 20시간을 초과했으며, 직항편은 모두 매진됐다. To Rome, the lowest economy-class fare was HK$10,736 with Dubai-based Emirates, while other options reached HK$135,072 owing to mixed cabin classes from limited availability. Even Asian destinations are affected, with the cheapest return to Tokyo costing nearly HK$5,000. Google Flights data highlights how Middle Eastern airspace chaos has grounded tens of thousands of flights, stranding passengers at major hubs. Surging fuel prices and route diversions have driven fares higher. Hongkongers stranded in the region are scrambling for seats, with all Hong Kong-bound flights from Doha, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi cancelled on Thursday. Of three from Dubai, only Emirates flight EK380 operated, with an estimated arrival shortly before 10pm. An aviation expert cautioned that regular traffic between Hong Kong and the Middle East remains uncertain, as the first return flight used 'safe corridors'. Stranded residents are using online group chats and social media to share tips, with some securing passage by routing through third countries like Vietnam. As the war enters its sixth day, it has impacted over a million passengers. Asian carriers like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific are in high demand, with fares from European hubs to Asia soaring—for instance, economy from Heathrow to Singapore at US$8,540, a 900 per cent increase over later dates.
