Air travel across the Middle East faced an unprecedented wave of disruptions between February 28 and March 5, with several major airports recording cancellation rates above 90%, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

In 1970, only about 310 million people flew each year. Today, that figure has exploded into the billions and by 2053, it may more than double again.

In countries where tourism is a significant contributor to the economy, such as France, Mexico, and Turkey, international airports serve as critical gateways, attracting millions of visitors every year.