Airlines have already started canceling flights.
We are already seeing that some companies have started to cancel. So it is clear that there is concern about that and we also get a lot of questions about that, says Anna Söderström, sales manager at the travel agency Ticket in Nacka, east of Stockholm.
At the same time, the desire to travel remains, she says. But more people are heading west in Europe, away from the conflict zone in the east.
The background is that fuel stocks are starting to run low for airlines. And regardless of whether the Iran war ends soon, it will take time to fill the fuel depots. So summer flights will be shakier, according to analysts.
Hit first
So you have to count on possible cancelled flights or rebookings. That means you may have to change the day or the airline may change your departure time. It will become more common, says aviation expert Jan Ohlsson, previously an aviation journalist.
And there are routes that are probably worse off than others.
Domestic flights are usually the first to be affected, followed by smaller regional routes. Those are often cut back because they are the most unprofitable, he continues.
Non-stop flights
Likewise, flight routes to locations with less frequent traffic may be canceled or changed to a greater extent.
Some countries are likely to be hit harder. Jan Ohlsson points to Italy, where several airports have introduced restrictions.
However, airlines are keeping longer international routes running as long as possible.
How should one think, then?
A good tip is to try to minimize the number of flights during a vacation. Fly somewhere and stay where you are; don't hop around; that's risky, says Ohlsson.
Things are starting to get nervous in the travel industry. Charter companies and airlines don't want it to appear to be a crisis, with the risk that tourists will stay home instead.
"We understand that many people are uncertain when a lot is written about this. Therefore, it is important for us to be clear: Summer charter trips are going as planned," says Beatriz Rivera, Nordic Communications Manager at Apollo, in a press release.
Paradoxical sales
There will be no increased ticket prices for already booked trips, according to the charter companies.
But even though flight prices are on the rise, there are bargains to be found, according to Travelmarket, which measures flight prices on an ongoing basis.
Sales on certain routes may occur if travelers hesitate.
"The plane is going to leave anyway; it's better to sell cheap than to fly with empty seats. And this may also apply to charter flights," says Jan Ohlsson.
