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You may have seen the news over the weekend about military action in the Middle East. We’re monitoring the situation, in terms of cargo impacts, and will keep you informed of any developments that may impact global supply chains.

Rising fuel prices, war risk surcharges and emergency conflict surcharges are expected to place upward pressure on freight rates, even for cargo not directly moving to the Middle East.

Aviation & Cargo Update – Middle East Military Activity

Recent military actions in the Middle East have triggered a series of airspace closures and operational restrictions that are now affecting cargo movements across several key corridors.

  • Airspace restrictions were issued with little notice, leading to immediate reroutes and, in some cases, full suspension of services. Aircraft already en route have been diverted around affected zones, adding significant flight time and fuel requirements.
  • Major regional hubs have experienced temporary shutdowns or reduced operations, which is slowing cargo throughput and creating backlogs for both freighters and belly‑hold freight.
  • Longer routings via Turkey, the Caucasus, or the Arabian Sea will become common as carriers avoid Iranian, Iraqi, and Israeli airspace. These detours reduce available payload and may extend transit times by several hours.
  • Some carriers have paused scheduled services until safe and predictable corridors are confirmed. This is contributing to wider supply chain delays, particularly for time‑sensitive freight.
  • Knock‑on effects are being felt beyond aviation, with maritime restrictions and security advisories now disrupting vessel schedules and delaying port arrivals across parts of the region. These constraints are adding further pressure to already‑stretched multimodal networks. Major lines are actively diverting away from the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent Gulf approaches, treating the area as a high‑risk zone. Several carriers have ordered vessels to hold position or seek safe anchorage rather than proceed through contested waters.

At this stage, we expect continued disruption while airspace conditions remain fluid. Customers moving urgent or temperature‑sensitive cargo should anticipate delays and consider alternative routings where possible. We encourage you to liaise directly with our teams to find current options available.

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