Tehran (TDI): Airlines cleared out of the airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq early on Friday after Israel carried out attacks on targets in Iran, with carriers scrambling to divert and cancel flights to keep passengers and crew safe.
The airstrikes, which Israel said were aimed at Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities as well as key military commanders, sparked fears of retaliation. Israeli authorities warned the operation could be prolonged and kept their air defenses on high alert.
As a precaution, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was shut down, and Israel’s national carrier El Al suspended all flights. Meanwhile, Iranian state media confirmed that its airspace would remain closed until further notice.
Airspace closures rippled across the region. Iraq and Jordan also shut down their skies, prompting major rerouting for flights traversing one of the world’s busiest corridors linking Europe with the Gulf and Asia.
Read More: Iran’s Khamenei Warns Israel of ‘Bitter and Painful Fate’
Several Gulf carriers responded swiftly. Emirates Airline cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. Qatar Airways also halted operations to and from Iran and Iraq. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport warned travelers to expect widespread disruptions and urged passengers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.
Multiple flights already en route were diverted mid-air. An Emirates service from Manchester to Dubai was rerouted to Istanbul, while a flydubai flight from Belgrade changed course to land in Yerevan, Armenia.
Read More: The World Reacts to Israeli Strikes on Iran’s Military, Nuclear Sites
The budget carrier said it had suspended service to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran, and Israel, while other flights were either rerouted or forced to return to their departure cities.
According to OPSGROUP’s Safe Airspace project, the situation remains volatile. “Operators should exercise extreme caution,” the advisory noted, citing growing risks to commercial aviation in active conflict zones.
