Why read this: This news article shows how the 2026 war in the Middle East is changing flights around the world. The topic is important for Chinese families who travel, study, or work abroad. The article does not just report events. It argues two things. First, for twenty years most long flights have used Gulf airport hubs, and this turns out to be a risky plan. Second, direct flights between Europe and Asia are coming back.
What to notice: Watch how the writer shows size before making an argument. Paragraph 2 uses many numbers, like percentages, barrels per day, and price ranges. These numbers support what comes later. Look at the difference between named airlines and general types of airlines. The named ones do specific things (SAS, Lufthansa, Wizz Air, Ryanair). The general ones are called 'legacy carriers' or 'low-cost carriers'. Then read paragraphs 3 and 4 slowly. See how cause and effect are linked without words like 'because' or 'so'.
Skills practised: Reading: following an argument across paragraphs; finding facts and numbers in the text; seeing how one event leads to another. Writing: using facts to support ideas; using words like 'may', 'could', or 'probably' to sound careful; making your opinion clear without using 'I' or 'we'.
A War Is Changing How People Fly from Asia to Europe
For twenty years, most flights from China to Europe stopped in the Middle East. Now this is changing.
Tap any green word in the article to see its meaning.
A fire happened near Dubai Airport on 16 March, after a hit a fuel tank. Many Emirates flights were cancelled, and other planes had to land at a different airport. For twenty years, many flights from China to Europe stopped in Dubai. But now there is a war near Dubai, so this is not safe.
The war is causing big problems for airlines. About 40% of Europe's comes through the sea near Dubai, and now this fuel is hard to get. Oil prices have jumped: before the war, oil cost about $69 per , but now it costs about $100. Airports in Europe may not have enough jet fuel by June.
Airlines are responding in different ways. SAS has cancelled 1,000 flights in April, and Lufthansa has stopped flights to the Middle East until May. Air France-KLM has made tickets to America more expensive, with up to €319 extra per flight. Some airlines like Ryanair planned ahead and bought oil at a low price before the war, so Ryanair is okay. American Airlines did not plan ahead, so they have problems now.
Flying around the takes longer. Airlines cannot fly over Russia because of an earlier war, and now they cannot fly over the Middle East either. Instead, they use a small route near Azerbaijan, which adds two to four hours to flights and uses more fuel.
There is some good news. Some airlines are now flying directly from Asia to Europe. Cathay Pacific has new flights from Hong Kong to London and Paris. Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa are also adding more direct flights. A parent flying from Shanghai to London to visit a child at school now has more choices than two years ago.
The Gulf airlines will not go away. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways will come back, and they will offer cheap tickets when the war is over. But this war has shown one important thing: airlines should not depend too much on one airport.
A fire happened near Dubai Airport on 16 March, after a hit a fuel tank. Many Emirates flights were cancelled, and other planes had to land at a different airport. For twenty years, many flights from China to Europe stopped in Dubai. But now there is a war near Dubai, so this is not safe.
The war is causing big problems for airlines. About 40% of Europe's comes through the sea near Dubai, and now this fuel is hard to get. Oil prices have jumped: before the war, oil cost about $69 per , but now it costs about $100. Airports in Europe may not have enough jet fuel by June.
Airlines are responding in different ways. SAS has cancelled 1,000 flights in April, and Lufthansa has stopped flights to the Middle East until May. Air France-KLM has made tickets to America more expensive, with up to €319 extra per flight. Some airlines like Ryanair planned ahead and bought oil at a low price before the war, so Ryanair is okay. American Airlines did not plan ahead, so they have problems now.
Flying around the takes longer. Airlines cannot fly over Russia because of an earlier war, and now they cannot fly over the Middle East either. Instead, they use a small route near Azerbaijan, which adds two to four hours to flights and uses more fuel.
There is some good news. Some airlines are now flying directly from Asia to Europe. Cathay Pacific has new flights from Hong Kong to London and Paris. Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa are also adding more direct flights. A parent flying from Shanghai to London to visit a child at school now has more choices than two years ago.
The Gulf airlines will not go away. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways will come back, and they will offer cheap tickets when the war is over. But this war has shown one important thing: airlines should not depend too much on one airport.
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
Why did Emirates flights have to be cancelled?
- 02
What happened to the price of oil?
- 03
Why is Ryanair okay during the war?
- 04
Describe two problems airlines have because of the war. Use information from the article.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Name three airlines from the article. For each one, say what it is doing because of the war.
Suggested length: ~50 words
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
Why did Emirates flights have to be cancelled?
- 02
What happened to the price of oil?
- 03
Why is Ryanair okay during the war?
- 04
Describe two problems airlines have because of the war. Use information from the article.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Name three airlines from the article. For each one, say what it is doing because of the war.
Suggested length: ~50 words