PETALING JAYA: The ongoing Middle East conflict is beginning to cast a shadow over the livelihoods of local e-hailing drivers, as international flight disruptions threaten to reduce airport trips.
A full-time e-hailing driver, who wished to be known only as Ahmad, said the ripple effects of the Middle East tensions are already affecting his daily earnings.
“My income has definitely taken a hit this month.
“Usually, I rely on KL International Airport (KLIA) runs for a good chunk of my earnings because the fares are higher, but lately, there are noticeably fewer pings for airport drop-offs and pick-ups,” the 42-year-old said.
For full-time Grab driver Amirul Amin, the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are not just distant news headlines as they are being felt right inside his car.
Amirul, 38, who typically relies on long-distance airport transfers to boost his income, said he has noticed a stark drop in requests for rides to KLIA over the past two weeks.
“Usually, I aim for at least two trips to KLIA a day. Those higher fares are the windfall that help cover my petrol and rental,” he said.
“But lately, the pings for airport drop-offs have noticeably slowed down. I even had a passenger last week who cancelled her ride halfway to the airport because she received a notification that her connecting flight through the Middle East was grounded,” said Amirul, who said his weekly earnings have taken a dip of about 15% to 20% due to the reduction in international travel.
“I am still getting by because domestic travel is stable, but losing those premium airport fares hurts. To make up for the shortfall, I now have to spend an extra two to three hours a day doing shorter trips, which means burning more fuel while being stuck in Klang Valley traffic,” he added.
Gabungan eHailing Malaysia chief activist Masrizal Mahidin said while the immediate impact on Malaysian drivers is still relatively limited, airport trips are closely tied to international flights, affecting those who are more reliant on them.
“If international travel confidence declines or airlines reduce certain routes, drivers who rely heavily on airport pickups – particularly in major hubs like KLIA – may see a temporary reduction in trips.”
Masrizal also noted that a more pressing impact of the conflict is the fluctuation of global oil prices.
“Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have already pushed fuel prices higher. For gig drivers, higher fuel costs directly reduce net earnings because fuel remains one of the biggest operating expenses.”
He added that if the conflict is prolonged and energy prices remain volatile, drivers will face increased cost pressures unless fares or incentive structures are adjusted.
“Events happening thousands of kilometres away can still influence fuel prices, travel demand, and ultimately the livelihoods of gig drivers. This is why stronger social protection, fair earnings frameworks, and cost-buffer mechanisms are increasingly important for gig workers who are highly exposed to external economic shocks,” Masrizal said.
However, Grab Drivers Malaysia Association president Mohd Azril Ahmat said that strong domestic travel has helped cushion the blow for the time being.
“For now, there is no major problem at the airports because domestic flights are operating normally due to the festive season,” he said.
Azril cautioned that a far bigger threat to drivers’ daily income would be sudden shifts in local mobility policies.
“The real impact will be felt if the government or ministries direct civil servants to work from home and students to learn from home. That is when drivers will truly face a lack of demand on the roads. That is the main concern right now,” he said.
International flights have been significantly disrupted since Feb 28 due to airspace closures following the intensified Middle East conflict, with several major airlines cancelling flights to the region until the end of April.
Among them is Malaysia Airlines, which suspended flights to Doha until March 28.
