LONDON, U.K.: Airlines in the Middle East are steadily restoring operations after months of disruption caused by the conflict in Iran, with flight activity approaching pre-war levels.

Data from flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 shows major carriers in the region have recovered to about 82 percent of their February 27 flight volumes, the day before hostilities erupted. Some airlines, including Gulf Air and Kuwait Airways, have recently exceeded their pre-war activity levels.

The recovery follows an interim agreement signed by the United States and Iran this week aimed at ending the nearly four-month conflict. Officials are expected to hold further discussions on implementing the ceasefire agreement on June 19.

The conflict disrupted one of the world's busiest aviation corridors, forcing airlines to reroute flights, suspend services, and contend with airport closures triggered by missile and drone attacks.

Among the region's largest carriers, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad have all returned to at least 90 percent of their pre-war operating levels or are close to reaching that mark. Just a month ago, Etihad and Qatar Airways were operating at only 40 to 50 percent of normal levels.

"If it gets back to normal, I just see them acting as normal, coming back in full force," said James Halstead, managing partner at Aviation Strategy.

Industry observers say a lasting ceasefire and the reopening of regional airspace would allow airlines to fully restore services and support broader economic recovery across the Gulf.

Despite the progress, safety concerns remain. Drone attacks during the conflict repeatedly forced aircraft to divert and left airlines dependent on a limited number of safe flight corridors.

Many European and Asian carriers continue to avoid the region, while aviation authorities remain cautious. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has maintained its warning against flights in the area and said it was still "too early to determine whether the observed de-escalation will result in a sustained reduction of risks to civil aviation".

The Gulf region has spent years investing heavily in airports, tourism, and transportation infrastructure to establish itself as a major global travel hub. A full reopening of regional airspace would provide a significant boost to those ambitions.

Emirates Chief Executive Tim Clark told Reuters last week that the airline's focus would be on reassuring passengers about safety and reliability. Emirates is currently operating at 86 percent of its pre-conflict flight volume.

Etihad has launched a promotion offering visitors to Abu Dhabi complimentary medical travel insurance between July and December.

According to Flightradar24 data, Gulf Air and Etihad have recovered to 93 percent of their February flight levels, while Qatar Airways and Kuwait Airways have reached 87 percent and 86 percent, respectively. Air Arabia and Flydubai remain further behind, at 75 percent and 57 percent, respectively.

The conflict's impact extended beyond the Gulf, driving up jet fuel prices, disrupting schedules across Europe and Asia, and forcing airlines to reposition aircraft.

The International Air Transport Association this month nearly halved its 2026 profit forecast for the airline industry, citing the effects of the war in Iran. It now expects global airline profits of US$23 billion in 2026, down sharply from an earlier forecast of about $41 billion.