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International aviation networks are seeing an operational shift towards alternative corridors in East Africa as travellers seek new transit points to bypass current regional airspace restrictions.Preliminary economic estimates by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) revealed that between “February 28 and March 12, 2026,” major regional gateways remain focused on critical repatriation following the cancellation of “18,441 flights across the Gulf,” positioning Nairobi to emerge as a primary relief valve for East-West connectivity.Kenya Airways reported that demand for seats on its flights has jumped due to the effects of the US-Israel war on Iran, with its seat load factor reaching nearly “100%.” Kenya Airways acting CEO George Kamal stated to Reuters, “We reached up to 90% total, 90, 99,” while discussing the airline’s seat load factor.Kamal noted that these gains are primarily coming from Europe, the US, and Asia. Those routes are contributing “very positively” to the network as passengers seek to avoid disrupted airspace in the Gulf region, he added.Data from Flightradar24.com indicate that while regional flight numbers have begun a gradual recovery from near-zero levels, the region’s major state-backed carriers continue to operate at significantly reduced capacities. Flightradar24.com data also indicate that capacity across the primary transit gateways remains constrained as airlines navigate the closure of airspace across “11 countries.”This systemic downturn is a consequence of safety warnings issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which advised operators not to fly within the affected airspace at any altitude.Oxford Economics stated that because the region handles “14%” of global transit, any disruption “will inevitably lead to knock-on impacts outside of the region.” The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) also confirmed this figure, noting that the region’s role in global travel means any disruption “affects demand worldwide,” impacting flights and hotels globally.To sustain its increased operational tempo, Kenya Airways has secured “approximately 56 days” of jet fuel supply. Efforts are being made to obtain additional supplies from India to maintain this buffer, the airline’s flight operations head, Paul Njoroge, stated.While the current shift in traffic is driven by risk perception, the WTTC explained that the sector can recover quickly when governments and industry work together. Analysts pointed out that rebuilding full hub and spoke networks usually takes one to two weeks once security is stabilised and airspace reopens. 

There was drama and tension aplenty as the knockout-phase field was completed at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar Tuesday. It was incredibly tight in Group K as all four sides finished level on points. Ultimately, France, Canada and Uganda progressed, with Chile missing out on goal difference. Uzbekistan and Paraguay then joined Ireland in advancing from Group J, with Burkina Faso and Czech Republic following suit in Group I. Finally, in Group L, Austria finished with a 100-per-cent record, before Mali defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0. That result saw Mexico, who finished third in Group F, edge through at the expense of their Asian counterparts via a better team-conduct score. Hosts Qatar, who lost to Italy and drew with South Africa and Bolivia in Group A, bowed out after a winless campaign as the group stage concluded following 72 matches. The two-day Round of 32 matches is set to kick off on Friday. Burkina Faso 2-0 Tajikistan The West Africans strolled through to the knockout phase and sent the Central Asians home pointless. Burkina Faso had a glaring chance to go ahead on the break’s brink. Cherif Barro was tripped in the area, but Loukman Tapsoba’s resulting spot-kick was superbly saved by Abubakr Rahmonqulov. When they were awarded another penalty after the restart, though, Barro took it and made no mistake, before Eric Ouattara sealed victory. Czech Republic 0-1 USA A stellar second-half performance from Mathis Albert helped USA to victory over Czech Republic and to top spot in the group. The Czechs, despite losing a second straight match, will join them in Round of 32 in third. After a well-contested opening period, the introduction of Albert at half-time changed everything. The dazzling winger almost set up Jude Terry to score, with latter smashing the bar from his cross. It would be the Borussia Dortmund youngster who would have the final say, as he was set free down the left and coolly slotted into the bottom corner. The US finished with ten players, as Mateo Tsakiris was sent off for a high follow-through on Dominik Zajac in the dying seconds. Uzbekistan 6-1 Panama A second-half blitz saw Uzbekistan breeze beyond Panama and reach the Round of 32. It could have been so different for Panama as they were awarded a penalty in the first half, but Ibrokhim Shokirov was equal to Estevis Lopez's spot-kick. Instead, it was Uzbekistan to strike first, with Abubakir Shukurullaev nodding home just after the break. Sadriddin Khasanov and Sayfiddin Sodikov then netted from cut-backs to make the game safe. Jamshidbek Rustamov and Asilbek Aliev tacked on late solo goals, before Abdusamad Saidov tucked home a penalty. The Central Americans would eventually find the net, with Joseph Pacheco scampering through deep into stoppage time and slotting in between Shokirov's legs. Ireland 0-0 Paraguay Ireland held on to top spot with a goalless draw against Paraguay, with a point also enough for the South Americans to progress. Mauricio De Carvalho had Paraguay's best chance in the first half. The No9 pounced on a mistake in the Irish backline and fired on goal from the top of the box, but his effort fell just wide. Down the other end, the electric Jaden Umeh was sent through by Grady McDonnell, only to see his effort repelled by Matias Fernandez. Uganda 1-0 France James Bogere was the hero as Uganda clinched their first-ever World Cup win and a place in the Round of 32. Despite defeat, results elsewhere mean France also progress as group winners. Bogere, whose goals fired the Cranes to Qatar, provided the match-winner with a beautifully whipped finish into the top-left corner. The Africans continued to have the better of it from there, with Arafat Nkoola hooking an effort off the crossbar. A second never came but one goal proved enough on a historic day for the nation. Chile 2-1 Canada Chile were eliminated in heartbreaking fashion despite coming from behind to beat Canada, who have gone through. The South Americans’ inferior goal difference ultimately meant they finished bottom of the group. Shola Jimoh slotted the Canadians into a first-half lead, but the game would turn on its head after the break. Chile duo Zidane Yanez and Matias Orellana were on target to put the South Americans in front. Yanez was later sent off and, while Canada’s Van Parker missed a last-gasp penalty, the Canadians still scraped into the Round of 32. Uganda's victory over France ensured, for the first time in U-17 World Cup group-stage history, all four sides finished level on points. Saudi Arabia 0-2 Mali **media[380609]****media[380609]** Quick-fire goals sent Adama Diallo’s side into the last 32 and resigned Saudi Arabia to elimination. The AFC giants finished level on points, goal difference and goals scored with Mexico in the third-place table, but exit with a worse team-conduct score. Seydou Dembele forced Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Abdulrahman Alotaibi into a smart stop in the first half, before Raymond Bomba volleyed home Traore Mohamed’s cross from the back post to give Mali the lead. Ibrahim Diakite put the result beyond doubt, rounding Alotaibi and sliding the ball into an empty net. New Zealand 1-4 Austria A late rally saw Austria sink New Zealand and complete a perfect group stage. Nicolas Jozepovic netted first, as the forward muscled off two New Zealand defenders and laced high into the net from the top of the box. Austria would concede an equaliser all of their own making, as William Britton capitalised on a slack Sergej Savic pass to net. The Europeans powered on, though, with Dominik Dobis heading in, before Hasan Deshishku clinched a late brace from off the bench. Round of 32 Fixtures Senegal vs Uganda USA vs Morocco Venezuela vs North Korea Austria vs Tunisia Switzerland vs Egypt Germany vs Burkina Faso Zambia vs Mali Ireland vs Canada Brazil vs Paraguay Croatia vs Uzbekistan Italy vs Czech Republic France vs Colombia Argentina vs Mexico South Korea vs England Portugal vs Belgium Japan vs South Africa What they said... "This is our first time here and we are out of the group, we beat France. Man... this means a lot. France came second in the last tournament. They had the pedigree, but we had the character. We came here, we played our way and we won." Brian Ssenyondo, Uganda coach “We knew it was going to be a tough game. Paraguay are a physical side, they’re direct, and they had a lot to play for coming into this game as well. We achieved our objective, we’ve topped the group. The players have been superb. They give us everything and they’re making history here.” Colin O’Brien, Republic of Ireland coach "We’ll take the positives and try to forget the negatives, meaning the defeat against Uganda. It was a tough match in terms of intensity, they were a good team, and we couldn’t manage to win. Now we’ll use that experience for the next game, clear our minds and start over, because now it’s a new competition that begins." Soan Ameline, France midfielder "The pressure was massive in this game. At half-time, the coach spoke with us and we all came together, and the second half was just something incredible. For me as a goalkeeper, it was great when we went three or four goals up, then I could calm down a little!" Ibrokhim Shokirov, Uzbekistan goalkeeper "The objective was to come here to compete, although it's true that we didn't like the first match, but we knew how to compete. We did well in the second match, and today we knew that the Republic of Ireland is a team that plays a lot of long balls. We matched them. We couldn't take advantage of the chances we had. Starting Thursday, a totally different tournament begins, and we're going to compete in every match we have". Mariano Uglessich, Paraguay coach “I’m really excited and happy to get my first goal. We just need to keep up this momentum. I think we could go really far. Every game we play, we have so much intensity. We’re just so focused on winning. We’re like a family. That’s what got us to this stage and we just have to keep moving.” Mathis Albert, USA goalscorer