Middle East flights suspended amid Israel-Iran conflict; what next
What's the story
Flights over the Middle East had to be canceled on October 1 following a missile attack by Iran against Israel. This closure affected several countries in the region including Iran, Israel, Jordan, and Iraq. As a result of this sudden development, airlines were forced to alter their flight paths to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members. A total of 81 flights operated by 16 different airlines were diverted on Tuesday due to the closure of Middle East airspace.
Flight diversion
Qatar Airways, Emirates diverted the most flights
Middle Eastern airlines, particularly Qatar Airways and Emirates, diverted the most flights, while Istanbul airport experienced significant disruption with 19 flights being rerouted. According to FlightRadar24, at least three Lufthansa flights en route to India and Dubai had to turn back before reaching Iranian airspace, extending their journey times by up to eight hours.
Airline response
Emirates and British Airways respond to flight disruptions
Emirates confirmed that several of its flights bound for Dubai were affected by the airspace closure. The airline is diverting some flights and canceling others in response to the situation. A spokesperson stated, "We are closely monitoring the situation and are making all efforts to ensure minimal disruption to customers while assisting those impacted." Similarly, British Airways diverted a flight from London to Dubai, emphasizing that "Safety and security are always our highest priorities."
Airspace reopening
Airspace restrictions lifted in Jordan and Iraq
Later in the day, some airspace restrictions were lifted. Jordan and Iraq reopened their airspaces late Tuesday, although few flights were passing through the region at that time. However, Iran has extended the closure of its airspace in anticipation of a possible retaliation from Israel for their attack. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi has said that Israel will choose when to exact the price and demonstrate "our precise and surprising offensive capabilities."
Travel impact
Airspace closures impact airlines and passengers
According to Axos, Israeli authorities have stated that Israel's response will be "significant" and that it may target Iranian oil production facilities as well as other strategic sites. Some believe Iran's nuclear facilities might be attacked. Iran's airspace is often used by airlines traveling between Europe and India or Southeast Asia. Similar to what happened after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, ongoing airspace closures could see airlines add hours of flight time to circumvent Iran and Israel.