Private Jets Face $50,000 ‘War Risk’ Insurance

Private jet operators are grappling with unprecedented “war risk” insurance premiums of up to $50,000 to land in the Gulf, a cost that in some cases can more than double the standard charter price.

To minimise expenses, some operators are refuelling outside the region and reducing their time on the ground at Gulf airports, according to brokers and industry insiders.

The spike in private travel followed the first US-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this month. While commercial carriers such as Emirates have gradually resumed flights after tens of thousands of cancellations in the early days of the conflict, airspace remains constrained. Many affluent residents continue to seek rapid departures or returns amid ongoing uncertainty.

“Traditionally, standard insurance covers the Middle East without issue,” said Charles Robinson, founder of platform EnterJet. “Currently, additional coverage is required, and the cost is substantial. We have seen war risk insurance alone reach $50,000 for a single trip, depending on the airport, ground time, and contract specifics.”

Typically, a war risk premium ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. Brokers report that premiums can escalate sharply based on aircraft type, age, and airport conditions. Toby Edwards, co-CEO of charter brokerage Victor, stated that his clients are being quoted £10,000–30,000 for coverage, depending on aircraft specifications.

Aircraft valuation plays a key role in determining premiums. Dan Hurley, co-founder of Global Charter, explained:

“A 2020 Global 6000 requires significantly higher insurance than a 1991 Gulfstream GIV purely due to its valuation. Clients who are flexible on aircraft choice can avoid steep costs.”

During the early days of the conflict, chartering a jet from airports such as Muscat or Dammam surged to three times the usual cost, as private aircraft were often the only way to evacuate rapidly. Even now, charter costs remain far above standard levels. Typically, a large jet costs £10,000 per flight hour, but including insurance, rates have doubled to roughly £20,000 per hour.

Rising jet fuel prices, tied to oil trading at $115 per barrel, have added further unpredictability. One broker reported receiving an additional €2,000 bill after a flight landed in Europe to account for fuel price fluctuations.

Dubai Airport estimates that it has processed approximately 1 million passengers in the three weeks since hostilities began, highlighting the ongoing strain on regional air traffic.

Gulf Private Jet Cost Overview