The war impacts flight prices: alternative destinations and the companies that have already become more expensive

According to the 2026 Holiday Barometer by Europ Assistance and Ipsos, 77% of Spaniards intend to travel this summer between July and September, three points less than last year. 55% of them will do so within Spain and the average budget will be 1,758 euros. The price, obviously, will once again be one of the main determining factors when choosing a destination, but during this afternoon period another element joins to consider: the war.

Because the war conflict directly affects security, which, according to data from the aforementioned study, is something that influences the desire to travel for 71% of those surveyed in Spain, while for 49%, political tensions are also a decisive factor when choosing a runway.

Prices and war, two key factors that, as if that were not enough, feed each other. An intricate panorama that Demócrata tries to unravel with the help of three officials from travel agencies.

The fuel

The evolution of the conflict will cause prices to react one way or another. For the moment, points out José Manuel Lastra, first vice-president of the Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies (CEAV), the increases are being slight or directly non-existent. On long-haul, he comments, "Spanish tour operators intend to reduce uncertainty by making good offers, and let's hope it happens".

David Hernández, founder and CEO of Pangea, highlights the impact that fuel can have on prices: "Its effects are not immediately perceptible, but it will be a matter of weeks".

Also on this aspect, Lastra indicates that, according to what the airlines themselves tell them, there should be no supply problems, although, like Hernández, she does not rule out that it will leave its mark on the cost of flights: “The Gulf companies, as they are producers, will not have problems when they return to normal, but everything will depend on how it evolves. There is no increase, but it is something that can happen”.

Alternative destinations

Security causes the demand for certain points to decrease or even disappear, and, therefore, increase for some alternative destinations. Among them, details Christian Lucas, CEO of Central de Vacaciones, should be mentioned: Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States, Europe, West Africa, and the Mediterranean.

Until now, however, “we are not seeing price variations linked to supply, although we recommend that people book in advance,” advises Lastra.

It is a "volatile" impact, explains Hernández: "There are destinations where there was excess supply and now they are filling up. Places that had left our calendar and are recovering, for example, Brazil".

Another factor that the head of Pangea brings to the table has to do with the number of operators: “What affects prices the most is that, with fewer airlines available, trips accumulate, seats fill up on certain destinations and the price goes up. If Emirates flights are cut, then Iberia or Air France flights will go up in price, because there are planes that used to be 80% full and are now full”.

And, from here, Hernández adds, “there will be companies that want to capture that demand that is now approaching them. The tour operators have taken risks and have to fill seats”.

Iberia and Vueling will not increase the price of their tickets

Faced with uncertainty, the two airlines of the IAG holding, Iberia and Vueling, in addition to Volotea, have assured that they will maintain their flight planning for this summer and do not foresee any disruptions due to fuel.

Furthermore, Iberia and Vueling have also ruled out applying "additional charges" to the price of their tickets. Something that Volotea is already doing, with a surcharge of 14 euros per person and flight since last March.

In a statement, Iberia has affirmed that they have taken "rigorous" cost-saving measures, and Vueling has highlighted that they have "an extensive flight program to more than 100 destinations, with multiple schedule options on each route," which allows them to offer alternatives to their customers in case of any unlikely adjustment or incident in their flight plan.

Another company, like Air France-KLM, has made it clear that it does not rule out increasing ticket prices, while American Airlines has already increased checked baggage fees in basic economy class.