London: Air fares are experiencing an upward trend due to escalating fuel costs and tight capacity constraints, as reported by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The head of IATA, Willie Walsh, elaborated on the situation on Tuesday, linking these factors to the ongoing war in the Middle East.

According to Anadolu Agency, Walsh emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the duration and severity of the Middle Eastern conflict, making it challenging to predict its full impact on the airline industry. He highlighted that fuel costs have surged significantly, and with limited capacity and slim profit margins, air fares are inevitably rising.

The IATA's press release further detailed that total demand for air carriers saw a 6.1% increase in February compared to the previous year. This growth included a 5.9% rise in international routes and a 6.3% increase in domestic routes.

Walsh also noted adjustments in capacity deployment, particularly for routes connected to the Middle East or regions facing fuel supply challenges. He pointed out that the anticipated capacity growth for March had been reduced to 3.3%, down from earlier forecasts exceeding 5%.