West Asia tensions disrupt flights, hit Central Asia tourism from Kerala
KOCHI: Amid the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, several airlines are cancelling or diverting flights by avoiding airspaces in West Asia, which has severely impacted tourism to Central Asian countries, especially Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia.
This has severely affected travel operators in Kerala who have seen a nearly 30% decline in inbound and outbound tourism linked to these countries. Many find themselves trapped between airline operators and travellers, having been forced to reimburse cancelled tours while still awaiting refunds from airlines.
Meanwhile, travellers have been advised to prepare themselves for possible delays and unscheduled layovers in the wake of reduced connectivity on key routes and sudden cancellation of flights.
'A group that had travelled to Russia had its scheduled five-day visit extended to eight days, after the scheduled Air Arabia return flight was cancelled. The airline could accommodate them only on the third day,' Anu Sebastian, general manager of Kochi-based Gooout Tour & Travels Pvt Ltd, told TNIE.
Budget airlines like Air Arabia Abu Dhabi have cancelled flights through West Asian airspace from June 20 to 30, further compounding travel woes.
'We initially booked seats on an Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flight as part of plans to visit Georgia. However, we received a message that the flight was cancelled. Without informing us, the airline issued a credit voucher for the cost of our tickets, which meant that we could only use that for travel on that airline.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
41 minutes ago
- News18
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Shares Drop 5% After Record-Breaking Rally
Last Updated: The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) has shown remarkable resilience amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, particularly following U.S. involvement in June 2025. Tel Aviv Share Price: Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) shares snapped the winning streak on Monday to drop over 5 per cent in the opening session. The shares fell to ILA 6,239 with a fall of 5.47 per cent, against the previous day's close at ILA 6,600. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) has shown remarkable resilience amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, particularly following U.S. involvement in June 2025. Despite Iran's retaliatory missile strikes, including an attack that damaged the TASE headquarters, the TASE surged to record highs. On June 22, 2025, the TASE rallied over 5%, reaching an all-time peak of ILA 6,490 before stabilizing around ILA 6,450, driven by investor optimism that U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities could limit Tehran's nuclear ambitions and contain the conflict. Over the past five sessions, investors have been bullish on shares of Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Stocks are up 9.32 per cent since June 16. The TA-125 Index, tracking the 125 largest companies on the TASE, has gained about 9% in last one month, building on a 6.55% rise in May and 4.53% in April, totaling a year-to-date increase of 16%. Since the conflict's onset, the TA-125 has climbed nearly 14%, or roughly 800 points, reaching a record high of 2,850.08 on June 19. The TA-35 Index, comprising the 35 largest firms, has also performed robustly, gaining 17% year-to-date and hitting a 52-week high of 2,851.38 on June 19. Since June 13, it has risen about 5%. In retaliation, Iran has launched its first salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel after the US military conducted airstrikes at three key Iranian nuclear facilities in the early hours of Sunday, marking a dramatic escalation in the West Asian conflict. Iran's state media said more than 30 ballistic missiles had been fired as sirens rang across parts of Israel, while explosions were heard in Jerusalem. The Israeli Army said it was working to intercept missiles from Iran. Israel had closed its airspace after the US strikes on Iran. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. First Published:
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Israel is not yet willing to touch Iran's most sensitive nerve
Live Events Why does the Kharg Terminal matter so much Targeting Kharg will be a high-stakes move If Israel hits this one key energy site in Iran, it can break the back of the Iranian economy, but so far it has kept off this target. Israel has already hit several Iranian energy sites such as the Shahran fuel and gasoline depot, which has at least 11 storage tanks, and Shahr Rey, one of the country's largest oil refineries. Israel has also struck the South Pars Gas Field, which is one of the world's largest and critical to Iran's energy production. However, the most sensitive energy site of Iran is the Kharg Island from where Iran exports most of its the Iran-Israel conflict in October last year there was talk of Israel planning to hit Kharg island, resulting in a number of oil tankers vacating the waters around the oil-loading terminal on Kharg of the loadings from Kharg Island last week took place from the site's eastern jetty, Homayoun Falakshai, head of crude oil analysis at tracking firm Kpler, had told Reuters. "NIOC may believe it is less risky than the other main jetty located on the western side, in open waters," Falakshai said, referring to Iran's state oil firm National Iranian Oil Co. Large oil tankers were approaching Kharg Island one at a time, leaving the second jetty on the western side of the island unused for several days, with 15-16 more Iranian tankers scattered across the wider Persian Gulf Island is buzzing with activity as Iran is trying to get as much oil as possible, ensuring revenues would continue, at least for a while, if shipments are disrupted. Many oil tankers are now anchoring far from Kharg Island, unlike in normal times, and are making only brief stops to load oil before quickly leaving the area, as per a Bloomberg report. Iran's exports surged after Israel launched its offensive. In the first five days of the campaign, Iran exported an average of 2.23 million barrels of oil per day, a 44% increase from previous levels. Were Kharg Island to be targeted this time, Iran would lose a key source of revenue but then have little reason not to strike back in Island is a continental island located off Iran's coast near Bushehr, close to the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz . It serves as Iran's principal offshore oil export terminal. Constructed in the 1950s and reconstructed after heavy damage during the Iran–Iraq War, the terminal is equipped with modern infrastructure capable of handling very large crude carriers (VLCCs) and ultra large crude carriers (ULCCs). The terminal includes multiple berths, capable of loading 8–9 supertankers simultaneously, and has a storage capacity of approximately 28 million oil from Iran's major production fields is transported to Kharg via an extensive pipeline network. The terminal handles over 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, making it the country's single most important oil infrastructure Kharg terminal is essential for Iran's economy. With international sanctions severely limiting Iran's access to global markets, oil exports remain one of the few major sources of hard currency for the country. The revenues from Kharg's operations fund significant portions of Iran's national budget and support its geopolitical ambitions. Its location near the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical oil chokepoint, gives Iran considerable strategic leverage. The ability to control or disrupt energy flows through this region makes Kharg not only an economic asset but also a geopolitical Iran's oil output is constrained by sanctions, a disruption at Kharg could have outsized effects on global oil markets. Any significant attack or closure of the terminal would raise concerns about the safety of oil supplies from the Persian Gulf, driving up global energy October 2024, during heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, there was serious speculation that Israel might target Kharg. Iran's top oil officials made publicized visits to the island, and several tankers were observed vacating the area amid rising alerts. While tensions eased without a direct strike, the incident underscored how vulnerable and central Kharg is to Iran's strategic the current conflict, Israel has launched a series of strikes on Iranian oil and gas infrastructure, including attacks on the South Pars gas field. However, despite the strategic value of the Kharg terminal, Israel has notably refrained from targeting it. A direct attack on Kharg could provide Iran with a legitimate justification to block or restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow passage handles approximately one-fifth of the world's oil shipments. Closure or disruption here would have catastrophic implications for global energy markets, shipping and regional stability. A strike on Kharg would almost certainly lead to a sharp spike in global oil prices. This would impact not only Iran and its adversaries but also economies worldwide, especially those heavily reliant on energy a move could escalate the conflict dramatically, prompting Iran to retaliate by targeting oil infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura terminal. The regionalization of the conflict would draw in more actors and could spiral into a full-scale war. Israel's strategy in this phase of the conflict appears to be one of calibrated pressure. By striking critical but less politically explosive infrastructure, it weakens Iran's capabilities without crossing red lines that could provoke uncontrolled escalation or alienate international partners. Iran has developed alternatives to Kharg, including the Jask oil terminal on the Gulf of Oman, which allows exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. It has also developed storage capacity aboard a shadow fleet of tankers and at floating facilities, allowing it to continue exports even under the US and other producers have increased output to reduce global reliance on Gulf oil, the Strait of Hormuz and the Kharg terminal remain integral to the flow of energy. Any threat to Kharg causes anxiety in global markets, leading to volatility and risk Kharg terminal is not merely an oil export facility. It is Iran's economic artery. While Israel has demonstrated a willingness to target Iran's nuclear and energy infrastructure, avoiding Kharg suggests a recognition of the enormous risks involved. Striking Kharg could trigger a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, spark retaliatory strikes across the Gulf, cause global energy shocks and economic disruption, and escalate the conflict beyond the point of control. For now, Kharg remains a red line that Israel does not appear willing to cross.(With inputs from agencies)
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Iran-Israel war: Tehran moves to shut Strait of Hormuz after US strikes. How will it impact India?
Iran-Israel war: Following the US strikes at Iran's three nuclear sites - Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow - the Islamic Republic's parliament has called for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. However, its Supreme National Security Council will take the final decision. Such a move could be unprecedented as the Islamic Republic has not done it before in any war or conflict. 'I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Straits of Hormuz for their oil. If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It's economic suicide for them if they do it,' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, according to Fox News. The Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is the only maritime passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. It is considered one of the world's most strategically vital choke points, serving as the main export route for key Gulf oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait. It permits nearly 20 per cent of the world's daily oil consumption, around 20 million barrels, to pass through it. At its narrowest point, the Strait is only 33 kilometres wide, with the shipping lanes in each direction measuring just 3 kilometres across. As per media reports, nearly 50 large oil tankers are currently attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's renewed threats in response to recent US strikes have intensified fears about the extent to which a conflict in the Gulf region could disrupt the global oil supply. US Energy Information Administration (EIA) believes 'flows through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 made up more than one-quarter of total global seaborne oil trade and about one-fifth of global oil and petroleum product consumption'. In addition, around one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas trade also transited the Strait of Hormuz in 2024, primarily from Qatar. Due to its strategic geographic location, there is no alternative sea route to the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, any disruption to shipping through the strait would have significant consequences for the global oil and LNG trade, likely causing prices to surge. Since oil prices influence a wide range of goods and commodities, such fluctuations would have a ripple effect across the global economy. '84% of the crude oil and condensate and 83% of the liquefied natural gas that moved through the Strait of Hormuz went to Asian markets in 2024. China, India, Japan and South Korea were the top destinations for crude oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz to Asia, accounting for a combined 69% of all Hormuz crude oil and condensate flows in 2024,' EIA said. More than two-thirds of India's oil imports and nearly half of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Out of the 5.5 million barrels of oil India consumes daily, approximately 1.5 million are transported via this crucial waterway. Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev informed news agency ANI, 'If Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, India will definitely suffer. About 20 per cent of the world's crude oil and 25 per cent of the world's natural gas flow through these.' He added that India will face challenges as rising oil prices lead to higher inflation. It is estimated that for every $10 increase in crude oil prices, India's GDP could be affected by 0.5 per cent. Meanwhile, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India, Hardeep Singh Puri, is confident that there is enough oil in the global market. 'The oil price for a long time was between 65 and 70 (USD per barrel). Then it was between 70 and 75. Today is a Sunday. When the markets open tomorrow, the consequences of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will be factored in. But as I've been saying for a long time, enough oil is available in the global markets,' ANI quoted Puri as saying. He added, 'More and more oil is coming on the global markets, particularly from the Western Hemisphere. Even traditional suppliers would be interested in keeping the supplies because they also need revenue. So hopefully the market will factor that in.' In a statement to Madhavi Arora, Chief Economist, Emkay Global Financial Services said, 'We have $70/bbl Brent assumption for FY26 with Q1FY26 likely to average at $67-69/bbl. However, with OPEC+ announcing another higher than expected production hike in July, fundamentally oil markets remain well supplied and further Iranian supply cuts can be accommodated.' She further said, 'As of now, we are not changing our forecasts and continue to see CPI inflation undershooting RBI's estimate of 3.7% to average much lower 3.3-3.4%* in FY26. We note that every $10/bl increase in oil leads to an annualised gain of 35 bps in CPI inflation. ' 'We maintain FY26E CAD/GDP at 0.8%, at Brent 70/bbl, with every 10$/bbl leading to upside risk of 0.4-0.5%, ceteris paribus Our FY26 Growth est at 6.0% could see a downside risk of 16-20bps if oil averages $80/bl through the year vs $70/bl assumed,' Arora asserted.
