The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to a complete halt of flights to and from Dubai, severely disrupting global gold and silver flows. Dubai, a crucial hub for precious metals, accounted for about 20% of global gold flows last year. The suspension of air traffic has raised concerns among traders about increased volatility in metal prices, which have already been unstable this year. John Reade, senior market strategist at the World Gold Council, highlighted the growing concern over gold availability due to the flight suspensions. Typically, gold is transported as cargo on passenger planes, with each trip capable of carrying up to 5 tons, valued at approximately $830 million. The prolonged disruption could lead to higher regional prices in Asian markets, as traders report no current air cargo movement.