Middle East airlines have lost an estimated $100 million so far due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

An official of the IATA confirmed that governments should help the carriers through this "difficult period".

Ticket sales in the region for Middle Eastern airlines are expected to drop in the coming weeks and revenues are at risk if travel restrictions in Asia are extended, IATA Vice President for Africa and the Middle East Muhammad Ali Albakri told reporters.

At this stage, global airlines stand to lose $1.5 billion this year due to the virus, he said.