Tashkent (TDI): The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has led to significant disruptions in international air travel, particularly affecting Central Asia.
Cancellations and rerouted flights have become commonplace as airlines adjust to the tense situation in the Middle East.
Flynas, a Saudi low-cost airline, along with Iran’s Qeshm Air, announced temporary cancellations of flights to Uzbekistan.
The Uzbekistan Airports company reported these cancellations are a direct result of “escalating tensions in the Middle East and the closure of part of the airspace.”
Affected flights include the Flynas Jeddah-Tashkent route and roundtrips to the Uzbek city of Namangan, as well as Qeshm Air flights from Tehran to Tashkent.
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Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier, has opted to avoid Iranian airspace on flights to Dubai following an assessment of the regional situation.
This decision will lead to altered flight routes from Astana and Almaty, extending travel time.
However, flights to Jeddah will continue as planned but may be reevaluated depending on the security situation.
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The airline has committed to making any necessary changes to ensure passenger safety.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport has also advised domestic airlines to refrain from using Iranian airspace, as the conflict in the region escalates.
The situation raises concerns of a broader conflict as Israel continues military operations against Iran-backed groups such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.