War in the Middle East: will travelers experience new cancellations at Toulouse airport?

A conflict that has lasted for more than 70 days. A diplomatic impasse which continues in the Middle East with direct consequences on purchasing power. Among the most affected sectors in France, air transport which is suffering from the rise in kerosene prices. In Toulouse, as elsewhere, several companies, notably low-cost ones, preferred to cancel flights, just a few days after the start of the crisis. Should we fear the worst? Response elements.

Travelers in the midst of turbulence

This Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macrondisplayed its willingness to obtain an “unconditional, toll-free, opening of Hormuz” with our colleagues from France 24. But how much longer will it take for the strait to be secured and fuel prices to fall?

In this storm, travelers hesitate and question themselves. Will they have their flight to take advantage of the long weekends in May and the summer holidays? Toulouse-Blagnac airport (ATB) is reassuring.

“Companies will protect their summer programs”

At the beginning of March, Toulouse travelers faced the first flight cancellations, particularly to the Middle East. “There have been some adjustments at the margins,” comments Bruno Balerdicommercial director, customers and communications of the ATB, this Wednesday, May 13.

And to add: “We are vigilant, but not worried. The companies will protect their summer program.” If the situation in the Middle East can change “overnight, this summer looks good,” he assures.

No flight cancellations for Volotea…

Among the companies that have made their place within ATB, we include Volotea, the low-cost company born in Spain, which has just celebrated ten years of its Toulouse base. In Toulouse, this is the 4^e company in number of passengers, and the 2^e in number of destinations.

Questioned, its director France, Gilles Gosselinalso assured him this Wednesday: “There is no question of canceling more flights. Our customers will travel normally.” The conflict generates “a shift towards medium-haul lines, which we benefit from,” he continues.

With his 23 destinations departing from the Pink City, Volotea specializes in serving national and regional capitals (Madrid, Caen, Lille, Nantes Palermo and Luxembourg). From the fall, it will open three new lines: to Pisa, and to the islands of Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria.

…but new pricing

In this context of crisis, the company adopted, as of March 16, a tarification spéciale which did not fail to provoke a reaction. One week before departure, travelers who have reserved their ticket can be taken to payer un supplément (up to 14 euros). A measure which aims to better support variations in the price of kerosene.

If for Gilles Gosselin, it is a question of guaranteeing “an affordable and transparent price” for customers “who have the possibility of exchanging or canceling without charge”, this new pricing has been pointed out by the European authorities who have deemed the device illegal. The France director affirms that this pricing had been validated by different legal firms. “The authorities had a different opinion,” he observes, adding that Volotea retains the right to modify it.

Added to the war, the threat of the hantavirus

Added to the crisis in the Middle East, the threat of the spread of hantavirusthis virus detected on board a cruise ship in early May and which caused the death of three people. Five French people were repatriated this Sunday and one of them tested positive for the virus. In this context, the Government has strengthened monitoring, quarantine and isolation measures.

If the situation can revive the memory of the Covid crisis and its serious consequences for Toulouse airport, it wants to be cautious. “We are following developments,” replies Bruno Balerdi.

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