Global Airlines Reevaluate Middle East Routes Amid U.S. Strike on Iran
As the Middle East conflict escalates following U.S. strikes on Iran nuclear facilities and Tehran’s vow to retaliate, commercial airlines across the globe are reassessing how long they should suspend flights to the region. Major flight paths have already been disrupted, with the typically congested airspace stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean remaining largely empty for over a week.
Widespread Disruptions to Regional Air Travel
Since Israel initiated airstrikes on Iran on June 13, international carriers have diverted or canceled flights due to widespread airspace closures and mounting safety risks. Notably, flights to major regional hubs such as Dubai and Doha—usually considered stable—have also been affected in recent days, signaling rising concern within the aviation industry.
Despite the situation, some airlines cautiously resumed operations on Monday. Singapore Airlines, describing the conditions as “fluid,” resumed service to Dubai after canceling the previous day’s flight. British Airways also reinstated flights to Dubai and Doha following Sunday cancellations. Meanwhile, Air France continued suspensions of routes to both Dubai and Riyadh through Monday.
Increased Flight Risks and Cost Pressures
With Russian and Ukrainian airspace already closed due to the ongoing war, Middle Eastern corridors had become key pathways between Europe and Asia. Now, airlines are rerouting flights either north over the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, resulting in increased fuel consumption and extended flight times.
Carriers are facing growing financial pressure due to added fuel and staffing costs, and the U.S. strikes on Iran may further push up oil prices, driving jet fuel costs higher.
Rising Operational Hazards in Conflict Zones
The heightened conflict has amplified aviation safety concerns. Airlines now face the risk of both accidental and intentional attacks on commercial aircraft. Additionally, electronic warfare threats such as GPS jamming and spoofing are complicating navigation. Flightradar24 reported a significant surge in GPS interference over the Persian Gulf, with more than 150 aircraft affected within 24 hours, according to a Swiss GPS monitoring company.
Safe Airspace, an aviation safety platform run by OPSGROUP, warned that the U.S. strikes could further increase risks to American carriers in the Gulf, affecting countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Cautious Returns and Emergency Efforts
Some regional airlines in Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq have started to cautiously resume limited flights after a wave of cancellations. Meanwhile, Israel is increasing its flight operations to support evacuation and return efforts. The Israeli Airports Authority announced that rescue flights would expand to 24 per day starting Monday, though each will be capped at 50 passengers.
Israel’s national carrier, El Al, said it received approximately 25,000 requests from people seeking to leave the country in just 24 hours, reflecting the urgency of the situation.
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