IAG overall saw a 17.4% reduction in capacity for its Africa, Middle East and Asia flights in the second quarter, marking a 0.1% year‑on‑year decline in the first half of the year. The drop was driven largely by a 17% cut in capacity on its Africa, Middle East and Asia routes.

British Airways benefited from business travelers rerouting to avoid the Middle East in the first half of the year. The airline captured additional demand from corporate travelers using its routes to elude the conflict, and deployed incremental capacity to destinations like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to capture the demand from travelers avoiding the Middle East.

IAG, the owner of British Airways, flattened its capacity growth outlook due to the conflict, signaling a cautious stance for the remainder of the year.

The airline’s strategy illustrates how airlines are reshaping networks in response to geopolitical tensions, focusing on high‑demand corridors outside the affected regions.