Micah Jonah
March 6, 2026
Demand for private jet services has surged across the Gulf region as residents seek alternative ways to leave amid the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
The war, which has entered its seventh day, has led to airspace restrictions and flight disruptions across parts of the Middle East, leaving thousands of travellers stranded and forcing many to explore private charter options.
In Dubai, private aviation operators say requests for charter flights have risen sharply as people attempt to exit the region.
Founder of pet focused aviation service PetX Jets, Samuel Lait, said the company initially planned to provide private flights for pet owners travelling between Dubai and the United Kingdom.
However, he explained that the situation changed rapidly after the outbreak of the conflict.
According to him, the company has been receiving numerous requests from passengers including young adults, elderly individuals and families seeking urgent evacuation from the region.
Private jet, broker Jet VIP also reported a significant rise in charter bookings.
Chief Executive Officer of the company, Altay Kula, said the number of requests has increased dramatically, with new inquiries arriving every few minutes.
Many passengers are reportedly leaving through neighbouring countries such as Oman and Saudi Arabia due to restrictions affecting departures from Dubai.
Industry operators say the surge in demand has pushed charter prices significantly higher.
Before the conflict, a light private jet flight from Dubai to Istanbul cost around $50,000 for six passengers, while larger aircraft capable of carrying up to 15 people cost about $110,000.
Those prices have now doubled to approximately $100,000 for smaller jets and up to $200,000 for larger aircraft.
Aviation brokers also noted that limited flight slots and airspace restrictions have complicated travel arrangements, particularly for departures from Dubai.
Flights departing from cities such as Muscat and Riyadh have seen increased traffic as travellers attempt to find available routes out of the region.
Operators say approvals to land or depart from some airports can now take up to 24 hours due to congestion and regulatory clearances.
Despite the growing demand, aviation companies say they are closely monitoring developments and hope that normal flight operations will gradually resume once regional airspace restrictions are lifted.
