Russian Tour Operators Face Billions in Losses Amid Middle East Airspace Closures

MOSCOW, March 11 – The Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) reports that Russian travel firms are facing preliminary losses estimated between 5 and 6 billion rubles. The figure stems from the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East, which has forced mass evacuations and flight cancellations. Arthur Muradyan, ATOR's Vice President, stated that a final calculation is not yet possible as evacuation efforts continue.

Muradyan explained the immediate costs include covering hotel stays and booking alternative flights for stranded travelers, often for five to seven days. These expenses are being paid directly by the operators. The crisis hit a major artery for Russian tourism: over 200 weekly flights to the United Arab Emirates alone were disrupted, affecting thousands of travelers each week.

While most tourists have been evacuated from the Middle East itself through coordinated efforts with Arab carriers, complications remain for those transiting through hubs like Dubai to destinations such as Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Thailand. Operators are also responsible for rerouting those passengers.

The financial toll is expected to rise further. Following official advisories from the Foreign and Economic Development ministries deeming several Middle East nations unsafe, operators must fully refund customers for canceled packages unless they choose to rebook. This refund obligation, Muradyan noted, has yet to be fully quantified.

The disruptions began in late February after the U.S. and Israel conducted strikes on Iranian territory, triggering retaliatory attacks by Iran. The conflict led several Arab nations to partially or fully close their airspace due to incoming drones and missiles, severing critical flight paths for Russian tourism.