Europe’s Flag Carriers Boost Direct Asia, Africa Flights as Gulf Hubs Falter

Overview

• Air France is deploying larger aircraft from Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai, Shanghai and Tokyo and is adding extra flights from Bangkok, Singapore and Delhi to absorb demand after mass cancellations by Gulf rivals.
• Lufthansa will expand direct long‑haul capacity to Asia and Africa, increasing service to Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi and Shanghai, relaunching Kuala Lumpur, and adding flights to Cape Town.
• Lufthansa has conducted ten evacuation flights from the Middle East with more planned, while France is continuing government‑led repatriations and urging airlines to add capacity.
• Operations at major Gulf hubs remain curtailed, with Dubai running at reduced pace and Doha closed for a seventh straight day, even as Emirates targets 106 daily round trips to 83 destinations, roughly 60% of its network.
• Cirium reports about 29,000 of 51,000 regional flights canceled since February 28 as fuel costs rise with Strait of Hormuz disruptions, and Lufthansa says it is hedged for over 80% of annual jet‑fuel needs but still expects a higher bill.