Global Air Traffic Disrupted by Israel-Iran Tensions/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Airlines worldwide are canceling flights and rerouting planes to avoid Middle East airspace. Iran, Israel, and Jordan closed their skies after Israeli strikes, grounding or diverting hundreds of flights. Major carriers like Lufthansa, Emirates, and Delta have suspended routes through the region.
Mideast Airspace Closures Disrupt Global Flights: Quick Looks
- Airspace shutdowns: Iran, Israel, and Jordan closed their skies after Israeli strikes.
- Airports closed: Tehran, Tel Aviv, and Amman airports halted all operations.
- Widespread flight cancellations: 650+ flights canceled across Europe alone.
- Global rerouting: Flights redirected to Cyprus, with several turning back midair.
- Major airline responses: Delta, Lufthansa, Emirates, and others suspend Mideast operations.
Global Air Traffic Disrupted by Israel-Iran Tensions
Deep Look
Air travel across the Middle East was thrown into disarray Friday following Israel’s massive military strikes on Iran. With fears of retaliation and heightened security threats, airspace over Iran, Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq was swiftly evacuated of commercial flights.
According to Flightradar24, planes were diverted en masse, and multiple air corridors went dark as governments shut down key routes. Iran halted all domestic and international flights, while Israel and Jordan followed with full closures of their airspace.
Airport Shutdowns Across Region
Major regional airports were shut by midday Friday. Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport is scheduled to reopen Saturday afternoon, while Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport and Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport remain closed until further notice. Authorities urged passengers to contact airlines for real-time updates.
Mass Flight Disruptions and Diversions
Airlines scrambled to adjust. Air India announced that more than a dozen long-haul flights, including from New York, London, and Vancouver, were impacted. In one dramatic instance, a Delta Air Lines flight from JFK to Tel Aviv spent eight hours in the air before turning around and returning to New York.
Israeli carriers El Al, Israir, and Arkia took preemptive action by evacuating aircraft out of the country, reportedly sending many to Cyprus. Hermes, the operator of Cyprus’ airports, said 32 diverted flights from the Middle East arrived at Larnaca and Paphos airports by Friday morning.
Europe and Gulf Carriers Respond
Lufthansa, Europe’s largest carrier, canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran through July 31 and halted service to Amman, Beirut, and Erbil until June 20. Air France suspended Tel Aviv flights indefinitely, while KLM canceled them until at least July 1.
Emirates, the UAE’s flagship airline, suspended flights to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran through Sunday. Qatar Airways also canceled all service to Iran and Iraq, citing safety concerns at eight key airports, including Tehran and Baghdad.
Flight Numbers and Forecast
As of Friday, over 650 flights between Europe and the Middle East had been canceled, according to Eurocontrol, which oversees European air traffic management. The broader disruption affected around 1,800 flights continent-wide.
Delta Air Lines advised passengers that travel involving Tel Aviv may remain affected until June 30, depending on developments in the region.
Passenger Impact and Precautionary Advice
With airspace closures continuing and tensions escalating, international travelers are advised to check airline websites and stay updated on changing itineraries. The situation remains fluid, with more flight suspensions and diversions likely if the conflict spreads or intensifies.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.