Flights disrupted in region following Israeli attack on Iran
People walk next to a sign directing for Shelter after landing in Israel at the arrivals section of Ben Gurion International airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel October 11, 2023 Photo:REUTERS
Airlines cleared out of the airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq and Jordan on Friday after Israel launched attacks on Iran, Flightradar24 data showed, with carriers scrambling to divert and cancel flights to keep passengers and crew safe.
Israel attacked Iran violation of international law, targeting nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, and military commanders under the pretext of halting Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The attack marks the start of what Israel warned would be a prolonged operation despite Iran's insistence that it is not developing nuclear weapons.
Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice, and Israel's air defence units stood at high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.
Israeli flag carrier El Al Airlines said it had suspended flights to and from Israel.
Iranian airspace has been closed until further notice, according to state media and notices to pilots.
As reports of strikes on Iran emerged, several commercial flights by airlines including Dubai's Emirates, Lufthansa and Air India were flying over Iran.
9-second video of the clearing of Iranian and Iraqi airspace. pic.twitter.com/VZLWbmk9sC
Air India, which overflies Iran for its Europe and North American flights, said several flights were being diverted or returned to their origin, including ones from New York, Vancouver, Chicago, and London
Emirates and Lufthansa did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Iraq, early on Friday, closed its airspace and suspended all traffic at its airports, Iraqi state media reported.
Eastern Iraq near the border with Iran contains one of the world's busiest air corridors, with dozens of flights crossing between Europe and the Gulf, many on routes from Asia to Europe, at any one moment.
Flights steadily diverted over Central Asia or Saudi Arabia, flight tracking data showed.
Jordan, which sits between Israel and Iraq, closed its airspace several hours after the Israeli campaign began.
"The situation is still emerging - operators should use a high degree of caution in the region at this time," according to Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information.
AJet cancels flights to Iran, Iraq, and Jordan
Turkish Airlines subsidiary AJet has cancelled all flights to Iran, Iraq, and Jordan until Monday morning, following Israel's recent military strikes on Iran. According to an AJet source, the airline will continue operating flights to Lebanon during daylight hours. It will also modify routes across the Middle East, flying over Iraq while avoiding the affected airspace.
Aegean Airlines also suspends flights
Similarly, Aegean Airlines has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv scheduled for June 13, due to the ongoing conflict.
Aeroflot and Lufthansa adjust operations
Russia's Aeroflot has cancelled flights between Moscow and Tehran, while also adjusting its other routes in the region. Lufthansa, the German carrier, has suspended all flights to and from Tehran due to Israel's widescale strikes on Iran. Lufthansa Group flights will remain suspended until further notice, and the airline will avoid Iranian, Iraqi, and Israeli airspace.
Qatar Airways faces disruptions
Qatar Airways has also cancelled flights to and from Iraq and Iran, reflecting the ongoing airspace closures in the region.
Abu Dhabi airport warns of flight disruptions
Abu Dhabi Airport has issued a warning of flight disruptions, advising passengers to contact airlines for updates as cancellations and delays are expected throughout the day due to airspace closures in the region.
Dubai flights affected
At Dubai airports, some flights have been delayed or cancelled due to airspace restrictions over Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Meanwhile, Emirates Airlines has announced cancellations for flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi announced cancellation of flights to areas affected by the escalating Middle East tensions, a statement confirmed on Friday.
Budget carrier flydubai said it had suspended flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran and Israel and a number of other flights had been cancelled, rerouted or returned to their departure airports.