Middle East Conflict Strands Garment Shipments, Disrupts Global Fashion Supply Chains
The escalating conflict in the Middle East has severely disrupted air travel, leaving garment shipments bound for global fashion retailers stranded at airports in Bangladesh and India. According to a Reuters report citing manufacturers, this crisis is creating significant logistical challenges for South Asia's clothing export industry, which supplies major brands including Zara owner Inditex.
Airspace Closures Paralyze Cargo Operations
Airspace closures across much of the Middle East since the conflict began last Saturday have forced major airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad to cancel multiple flights. Dubai International Airport—one of the world's busiest aviation hubs—remained shut for several days, creating a ripple effect that has paralyzed cargo operations throughout the region.
Shovon Islam, managing director of Bangladesh-based manufacturer Sparrow Group, confirmed that some of his company's apparel consignments are currently stuck at Dhaka airport. "They were supposed to be flown to the UK via Dubai, but with operations at Dubai airport suspended, we are now in a very difficult position," Islam told Reuters. "We're trying to figure out alternative routes, but none of them are simple or cost-effective."
Gulf Airlines' Central Role in South Asian Cargo
The disruption is particularly damaging for South Asian exporters because Gulf airlines handle a substantial share of the region's cargo traffic. Frederic Horst, managing director at Trade and Transport Group in Sydney, explained that more than half of Bangladesh's air cargo travels via the Gulf, while approximately 41% of India's air freight also depends on Gulf carriers, with Emirates and Qatar Airways playing central roles.
With limited cargo space available on remaining flights, freight costs have surged dramatically. Alexander Nathani, managing partner at Mumbai-based leather garment producer Kira Leder, reported that shipping costs have risen sharply after airlines began cancelling flights. "The whole freight capacity is being blocked now on the airlines that are flying, so prices are increasing," Nathani said, noting that freight charges for transporting leather jackets from Mumbai to Austria have doubled, with some shipments experiencing significant delays.
Impact on Major Fashion Retailers
Inditex, the parent company of Zara, relies heavily on suppliers from South Asia. The company's 2023 annual report lists 150 suppliers in Bangladesh, 122 in India, and 69 in Pakistan, though updated country-level numbers were not provided in their latest report. Inditex did not respond to Reuters' questions regarding the current disruption, but the stranded shipments directly affect their supply chain operations.
Other retailers such as Primark, H&M, and Marks & Spencer told Reuters that most of their shipments are transported by sea rather than air, potentially insulating them from immediate air cargo disruptions. Next did not immediately respond to the news agency's queries.
Potential Escalation to Maritime Routes
Industry leaders warn that the crisis could escalate further if maritime routes are also affected. Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, emphasized that air cargo disruptions are already affecting exporters significantly. "The suspension of cargo flights due to airspace closures in the Middle East is already disrupting air shipments," Hatem said.
He issued a stark warning about potential maritime consequences: if the Strait of Hormuz—a key shipping route between Iran and Oman and the UAE—were to close, sea freight costs could also surge dramatically. "All in all, we are worried—we can see another major crisis ahead," Hatem concluded, highlighting the fragile state of global supply chains amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The situation underscores how regional conflicts can have far-reaching consequences for international trade, particularly for industries like fashion that depend on timely, efficient logistics from manufacturing hubs to retail markets worldwide.
