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How global conflict is changing air travel

Airspace closures due to war zones, are now forcing substantial rerouting of flights.

One of the world鈥檚 largest airline groups has told Business Daily that airspace closures, due to war zones, are now forcing substantial rerouting of flights.

Lufthansa says the ban on using Russian and Ukrainian airspace is having a measurable cost impact on its long haul network, with typical detours of one to two hours.

A recent Conflict Intensity index report shows that areas affected by armed fighting have grown by 89% over the past five years, that is one and a half times the size of the European Union.

We examine the cost to consumers, and the environmental impacts of these changes.

If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Producer/presenter: Rick Kelsey

(Photo: Planes landing and taking off against a coloured sky. Credit: Getty Images)

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17 minutes

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Mon 26 Jan 2026 15:32GMT

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