Research Article

The Impact of Airspace Crises in the Middle East on the Operational Performance and Costs of the European Aviation Network: An Early Assessment

Volume: 12 Number: 1 October 14, 2026
TR EN

The Impact of Airspace Crises in the Middle East on the Operational Performance and Costs of the European Aviation Network: An Early Assessment

Abstract

This study examines system-level patterns in operational performance and cost pressures within the European aviation network during periods of heightened geopolitical tension in Middle Eastern airspace. Using weekly data from EUROCONTROL (2025-2026), the analysis provides a multidimensional, integrated descriptive framework by jointly examining traffic volume, delay dynamics, causes of delays, and jet fuel prices. The findings show that while total traffic volume remains relatively stable, growth rates have weakened, a pattern that coincides with documented airspace accessibility constraints and network reconfiguration. Operational performance deteriorates particularly during periods of increased delays, while ATC capacity/staffing emerges as the predominant reported cause of en-route ATFM delays across the analyzed reporting periods. During periods of heightened geopolitical tensions, Europe-Middle East air traffic flows have declined, and routes have been restructured. These patterns suggest that airspace restrictions and the use of alternative corridors may be related to pressure on existing capacity bottlenecks. In parallel, sharp increases in jet fuel prices coincide with heightened system-level cost pressure. Overall, the study shows that during periods of geopolitical tension, airspace restrictions, operational indicators, and cost dynamics move together in interconnected, system-level patterns.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None.

Ethical Statement

The author declares that all stages of the study were conducted in accordance with ethical research principles. In the event of any misconduct, Artvin Çoruh University International Journal of Social Sciences assumes no responsibility and all responsibility lies with the author

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Policy and Administration (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 14, 2026

Submission Date

April 29, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 12 Number: 1

APA
Ertek, A. (2026). The Impact of Airspace Crises in the Middle East on the Operational Performance and Costs of the European Aviation Network: An Early Assessment. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.22466/acusbd.1940418
AMA
1.Ertek A. The Impact of Airspace Crises in the Middle East on the Operational Performance and Costs of the European Aviation Network: An Early Assessment. ACU-Int J Soc Sci. 2026;12(1). doi:10.22466/acusbd.1940418
Chicago
Ertek, Ahmet. 2026. “The Impact of Airspace Crises in the Middle East on the Operational Performance and Costs of the European Aviation Network: An Early Assessment”. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 12 (1). https://doi.org/10.22466/acusbd.1940418.
EndNote
Ertek A (October 1, 2026) The Impact of Airspace Crises in the Middle East on the Operational Performance and Costs of the European Aviation Network: An Early Assessment. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 12 1
IEEE
[1]A. Ertek, “The Impact of Airspace Crises in the Middle East on the Operational Performance and Costs of the European Aviation Network: An Early Assessment”, ACU-Int J Soc Sci, vol. 12, no. 1, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.22466/acusbd.1940418.
ISNAD
Ertek, Ahmet. “The Impact of Airspace Crises in the Middle East on the Operational Performance and Costs of the European Aviation Network: An Early Assessment”. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 12/1 (October 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.22466/acusbd.1940418.
JAMA
1.Ertek A. The Impact of Airspace Crises in the Middle East on the Operational Performance and Costs of the European Aviation Network: An Early Assessment. ACU-Int J Soc Sci. 2026;12. doi:10.22466/acusbd.1940418.
MLA
Ertek, Ahmet. “The Impact of Airspace Crises in the Middle East on the Operational Performance and Costs of the European Aviation Network: An Early Assessment”. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 12, no. 1, Oct. 2026, doi:10.22466/acusbd.1940418.
Vancouver
1.Ahmet Ertek. The Impact of Airspace Crises in the Middle East on the Operational Performance and Costs of the European Aviation Network: An Early Assessment. ACU-Int J Soc Sci. 2026 Oct. 1;12(1). doi:10.22466/acusbd.1940418

Artvin Coruh University International Journal of Social Sciences

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