Rising tensions in the Middle East have had a significant impact on regional air traffic. According to Flightradar24 data, following Israel’s attacks on strategic targets in Iran, many airlines have ceased using the airspace over Israel, Iran, and Iraq. Diversions and cancellations that began early Friday morning have accelerated in order to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
The aviation sector is facing not only operational challenges due to the conflict, but also serious economic and security risks. According to Osprey Flight Solutions, six commercial passenger aircraft have been accidentally shot down since 2001, and three others narrowly escaped similar incidents.
The Israeli government has announced the launch of a long-term military operation aimed at neutralising Tehran’s nuclear weapons capability. Initial targets included nuclear facilities, ballistic missile production centres, and military bases. Following this announcement, Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice. Israel’s air defence systems have been placed on high alert against potential retaliation from Iran.
Israel’s flag carrier El Al announced the temporary suspension of all incoming and outgoing flights. Likewise, Iranian state media reported that the country’s airspace had been closed.
Airlines Switch to Crisis Mode
As news of the strikes on Iran spread, several major airlines — including Emirates, Lufthansa, and Air India — initially continued to operate flights through Iranian airspace. However, following the escalating developments, these carriers either cancelled flights or rerouted them via alternative paths. The airlines have not yet responded to requests for comment on the situation.
Iraq also closed its airspace in the early hours of the morning, suspending all airport operations. Eastern Iraq lies along one of the busiest air corridors between Europe and the Gulf, with dozens of daily flights traversing this route.
Flight tracking systems showed many aircraft being redirected through Central Asia or Saudi Arabia. According to the platform Safe Airspace, the situation is still developing, and airline operators in the region are advised to exercise “extreme caution.”
Diverted and Suspended Flights
Several flights destined for Dubai were diverted to other airports early in the morning. For instance, a Manchester–Dubai flight was rerouted to Istanbul, while a flydubai flight departing from Belgrade landed in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
Low-cost carrier flydubai announced the temporary suspension of all flights to Iran, Israel, Amman, Beirut, and Damascus, stating that some flights had been cancelled and others rerouted.
Commercial Aviation Returns to the Battlefield
Since the onset of the Israel–Palestine conflict in October 2023, airspaces in the region have frequently been exposed to threats from drones and missiles. Some pilots have even reported seeing missiles with the naked eye during flight.
Last year, aircraft in Kazakhstan and Sudan were downed in armed attacks, bringing back memories of previous disasters — notably the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine, and the tragic 2020 incident when Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 was shot down by Iran after departing from Tehran. These events remain deeply etched in public memory.
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