The safety surcharge: this is how much extra Australians are paying to avoid the Middle East

Australians are paying thousands of dollars more in airfares to avoid flying through the Middle East, as the region's conflict shows no sign of easing.

Analysis by Explore shows travellers are effectively paying a "safety surcharge" to fly on routes that avoid major Middle Eastern transit hubs with the cost of a plane dictated less by comfort and quality and more by geopolitical tension.

The federal government's Smartraveller website warns travellers against considering cheaper fares through hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi with increased risk, highlighting the potential for sudden disruptions, airspace closures and security concerns.

But even the so-called gold standard direct routes are no longer immune.

Qantas has been forced to add a refuelling stop in Singapore on its Perth to London service to carry enough fuel to bypass high-risk airspace.

Aviation expert Professor Gui Lohmann from Edith Cowan University told Explore airlines are rapidly reshaping routes in response to the conflict.

"Airlines such as Qantas are increasingly adding services via the US and Canada, taking advantage of open skies agreements and alternative flight paths," he said.

"Routes such as Sydney to Vancouver are being boosted to near-daily frequency."

However, he warned there are no guarantees when travelling through "conflict adjacent regions".

"You are effectively choosing between a cheaper fare with higher uncertainty and risk, or paying more for a route that is considered safer and more stable," he said.

Professor Lohmann said prices may drop if "the flow of the Hormuz Strait is normalised beyond the two week period".

"In any case, some airlines have already made decisions that will take months to sort out, particularly when routes have been diverted," he said.

"Also, re-establishing operations can take some time."

Explore compared fares for travel between May 18 and May 31.

Flights during this period via the Middle East remain significantly lower in price compared to alternatives to Europe.

Emirates (via Dubai): from $948 one way, $1177 return (total $2118)

Qatar Airways (via Melbourne and Doha): from $1398 one way, $1071 return ($2469)

Etihad (via Abu Dhabi): from $2000 one way, $803 return ($2803)

While these fares are lower, government advisories warn the routes may carry a higher risk of disruption.

Qantas' flagship Perth to London route - once marketed as a non-stop benchmark - now includes a stop in Singapore to avoid unsafe airspace.

Qantas (via Singapore): from $2324 one way, $1508 return ($3832)

Emirates (via Dubai): from $923 one way, $1153 return ($2076)

The difference highlights the financial trade-off facing travellers.

A similar pricing gap is playing out on routes to southern Europe.

Explore compared fares from Melbourne to Italy over the same travel period, with Middle East carriers again offering the cheapest options.

Qatar Airways (via Doha): from $1078 one way, $1064 return ($2142)

Emirates (via Dubai): from $1078 one way, $1064 return (total $2142)

By contrast, routes avoiding the Middle East come at a significantly higher cost.

Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong): from $3641 one way, $1877 return (total $5518)

Singapore Airlines (via Singapore): from $5381 in total.

Even splitting the journey via Perth - typically marketed as a more direct alternative - comes at a premium.

Qantas (via Perth): $2771 one way, $1910 return ($4681)