Gear up for turbulence – in what ways a drawn-out Middle East conflict might transform our flying experience

It should be noted that the viability of the Gulf model has faced scrutiny in the past, particularly during the Covid pandemic, when several analysts indicated that airlines depending on long-distance routes and transit passengers, utilizing large aircraft fleets, were not sufficiently adaptable to changing conditions. However, the actual recovery was swift, with Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways all recording significant profits in recent years.