Flights over Middle East region suspended by airlines following Israel's attack on Iranian targets
Title: Air Chaos in the Middle East: Aftermath of Israel's Strikes
In the heart of the Middle East, a storm hits air travel following Israel's drone attacks on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. A dramatic turn of events!
From the bustling city of New Delhi to the storied streets of London, Air India's flights narrowly escaped Iranian airspace as Israel launched its attack. With no other option, these planes were forced back to their homeports. The London-New Delhi route, just entering Iranian airspace, was rerouted over Iraq, causing a one-hour delay. In total, Air India diverted or recalled 16 flights transiting between India and London, as well as some flights bound for cities in North America, due to the unfolding crisis in Iran.
Emirates, the Middle East's largest airline, promptly cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran. Qatar Airways, another major regional player, temporarily halted flights to Iran and Iraq due to the escalating regional tension.
Feeling the heat, Air France suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice, emphasizing the safety of its passengers and crew as its top priority. Meanwhile, Russia's aviation authority advised Russian airlines to steer clear of Israeli, Jordanian, Iraqi, and Iranian airspace and airports for fear of escalating conflicts. The restrictions remain in place until June 26 or until further notice.
Three major European airlines also followed suit. Germany's Lufthansa group suspended flights to and from Tehran until July 31 and extended the interruption of Tel Aviv flights for the same period. Swiss Airlines, owned by Lufthansa, temporarily halted Tel Aviv flights until October 25, whereas its Beirut flights remained suspended until the end of July.
The skies above the United Arab Emirates saw delays and cancellations due to the closure of the airspaces in Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Abu Dhabi Airport warned of flight disruptions, while Dubai Airport faced delays and cancellations.
The chaos in the skies isn't confined to the above airlines. In the glimpse of the ensuing mayhem, a considerable number of international carriers have either ceased operations or altered their routings to avoid the affected regions, cutting off a significant portion of the air travel network in the Middle East.
The volatile situation has imposed unforeseen challenges on flight planners and resulted in thousands of stranded passengers. Passengers are urged to keep a close eye on their airlines' updates and heed travel advisories as the crisis evolves.
References:
- Reuters
- AFP
- The Guardian
- Sky News
- Al Jazeera
- Flights operated by Air France, a prominent French airline, have been suspended to and from Tel Aviv, prioritizing passenger and crew safety amidst the escalating Middle East conflicts.
- Russian aviation authorities have urged Russian airlines to avoid Israeli, Jordanian, Iraqi, and Iranian airspace and airports due to the increasing likelihood of war-and-conflicts in the region.
- Indirectly affected by the turmoil, many flights traveling from India, facilitated by Air India, were diverted or recalled as they transited through the Middle East, causing delays and changes in general news.
- The United States is not exempt from the consequences of the Middle East crisis, with skies above the United Arab Emirates facing delays and cancellations due to the closure of airspaces in Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
![Hannover welcomes newcomer Bastian Allgeier in fresh relocation. [Photograph included.]](/en/img/20250615164744_pexels-image-search-image-description-headline-description.jpeg?width=1280&crop=4-3&quality=75)
