Expectations re the Middle East.

[Bad_azz]

The government is talking about introducing work from home rules after Lebaran to reduce fuel usage.

And it seems they are implementing them as soon as the holiday is over.

 

[jstar]

For those with European roots or WNI residing there, the impact on travel cots is huge.

The last week the prices have been triple since all three ME airlines were severely affected. So people coming from Europe for pulang kampung had to pay business class prices ( > €2.200 ) for their economy ticket.

KLM and AirFrance (its sister airline) indicated that they would not fly to Dubai and the Saudi cities of Riyadh and Dammam until May 17.

The German airline Lufthansa, with subsidiaries such as Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways and Swiss, will avoid multiple destinations in the Middle East for a longer period of time due to the war in the region, the group announced on Monday. Flights to airports such as Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat and Tehran have been suspended until October 24. Flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv are suspended until the end of May, according to Lufthansa.

Qatar Airways‘ services for Europe are focused on major hubs, including London Heathrow, Paris, Frankfurt, Berlin, Rome, and Madrid. They will operate a revised limited number of flights to 28 March 2026.

Emirates is running approximately 300 flights daily (around 60% of their typical schedule). Flights until 15 April can be rescheduled or refunded.

Etihad currently offers flights to Frankfurt, London (Heathrow), Madrid, Milan (Malpensa), Paris, Rome, and Zurich. So not to all their European destinations.

All three Middle Eastern airlines service Jakarta and Bali (again).

 

[Helpful Herbert]

I just cancelled my Emirates flight and booked Singapore Airlines instead. I prefer not having to dodge missiles when I fly!

 

[harryopal1]

I just cancelled my Emirates flight and booked Singapore Airlines instead. I prefer not having to dodge missiles when I fly!

Emirates could turn this into a promotional opportunity. First to spot the missile gets an upgrade to business class

 

[Wisnu]

we have confirmed QA ticket to Europe for June.
can only wish all going back normal

 

[Pak Tani]

Elpiji 3kg is becoming a bit langkah here in East Java. Bensin still plenty available and the antrian is not too bad. I just make sure to fill the tangki up again before it's half empty. My guts tell me this availability could change overnight.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

Yes, it's much more likely for it to be kosong than to have a big price increase. Interesting times coming up.

 

[harryopal1]

News today with Trump saying Iran has given "a big gift" and is reported to agree to never having a nuclear weapon. Separately it is reported that Iran says "non hostile ships" can use the Strait of Hormuz. So a ceasefire may be imminent which may smooth things out a bit re petroleum deliveries. However there are still several major elements which could easily flare up. It is easy to say we will not have nuclear weapons but the Islamic concept of Darura means it is not sinful to lie to an enemy if it were essential for survival. There remain plenty of extremists who believe Israel should be wiped off the map.

And then it is clear that Israel is not really finished even were there a ceasefire. Zionist extremists still believe God wants Israel's border to extend way beyond the present limits.

I guess much of the world really doesn't care if these two hostile groups keep fighting as long as it doesn't affect the flow of oil.

 

[Balifrog]

One should never forget that many years ago we, Brits and French, divided the area at the fall of the Ottoman empire. Google it.

"The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916) was a secret World War I treaty between Britain and France, with Russian approval, to partition the Ottoman Empire's Middle Eastern territories into spheres of influence. It aimed to divide Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, significantly shaping modern borders, contradicting promises of Arab independence, and establishing colonial control. "

And concerning Iran, the CIA on request of MI6 overthrow P.M. Mohamed Mossadegh in 1953 because he nationalized the O&G industry.

Anglo-Persian Oil Company - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The shah was put in place as supreme ruler, puppet for the US. And he went a little over his head with his lifestyle and in 79 we ended up with Khomeny.

 

[gemima]

we have confirmed QA ticket to Europe for June.
can only wish all going back normal

Its going to take me a while to rebook QA.
I had booked flights to leave jakarta (via Doha) to Madrid on the 17th and return (via the same route) on the 21st. Quick visit to see my dad who has been a bit poorly lately.
Of course the flights on the 17th got cancelled a few days out - so I requested a refund. Their system was so backed up I never got any confirmation and they sent constant reminders about my flight on the 21st.
I couldnt contact them - I spent about 7 hours on hold on various qatar airlines call lines.
Ultimately they emailed me to cancel the return flights 2 hours before takeoff and I finally got confirmation about a refund coming the next day.
I understand they are in a complete mess but I do think there should be some way for people with immediately bookings to get through to them.

I wish you better luck!

 

[jstar]

Its going to take me a while to rebook QA.

Yeah but there are not that many alternatives right now. Unless you pay 3-4x the price of the three ME airlines. And then you’d end up with flights via China, Vietnam or even Ethiopia with multiple stops and long layovers.

 

[jstar]

On a bit of a lighter note: It seems the ‘expectations’ of the spring breakers are somewhat different from ours…

https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2036382522204950889?s=20

When Belisario dropped the word 'ayatollah', complete bewilderment followed. “Who is Ayatollah? I've never heard about that word. …… Yesterday I heard that Chuck Norris passed away, that upset me more….. etc”

 

[harryopal1]

On a bit of a lighter note: It seems the ‘expectations’ of the spring breakers are somewhat different from ours…

https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2036382522204950889?s=20

.

Are these people aready voting? No wonder Trump is President.

 

[serious_fun]

Are these people aready voting? No wonder Trump is President.

I refer you to comments which I've made about 'democracy'.

 

[gemima]

Yeah but there are not that many alternatives right now. Unless you pay 3-4x the price of the three ME airlines. And then you’d end up with flights via China, Vietnam or even Ethiopia with multiple stops and long layovers.

I got the refund on my card today so they did follow up pretty quick on that.
I have been closely monitoring the ME airlines and emirates have been doing a far better job of keeping things moving compared to QA. This is most likely down to their geography making it easier to get out of the hot zone fast.
Today I read that Qatar have paid Iran 6 Billion to get them to leave them out of the "war" so that might improve things for QA!

 

[jstar]

As of 1 April the prices of the non subsidized gasolines will increase approx. 10%.
No April Fools’ Day joke it seems.

 

[snpark]

I saw reel today of an ID tanker being escorted through the Straits by Iranian armed ship and lots of cordial radio chatter between them. Thankyou we love you Iran from the people of ID etc etc and waving. So in a few weeks expect Shell to reopen for 37 minutes.

I heard our #1 has told the Orange 1 that he is rescinding the invite to be on the Bored of Peace since day 1 they invaded Iran. But not much luck getting the $1 billion joining fee back.

Oooooppssy