Airlines Divert Flights as Iran Launches Missiles at Israel
In response to Iran’s recent missile strikes on Israel, airlines have scrambled to reroute flights as neighboring countries close their airspace amid escalating tensions. Many flight crews are seeking diversions, with tracking service FlightRadar24 reporting that aircraft are spreading out to avoid conflict, converging on hubs like Cairo and Istanbul.
Istanbul and Antalya in Turkey are experiencing congestion due to increased flight rerouting, prompting some airlines to divert flights further south. Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi announced it is adjusting several flights in light of airspace restrictions across parts of the Middle East, emphasizing its commitment to continuously monitor the evolving situation.
The missile attacks from Iran were described as retaliation for Israel’s operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, with Israel vowing a “painful response.” Eurocontrol, a European air traffic control agency, issued a warning to pilots about the missile threats, stating that Israel was under a missile alert.
Following the strikes, Jordanian and Iraqi airspace were initially closed, with an Iraqi pilot bulletin announcing the shutdown of Baghdad-controlled airspace due to security concerns. However, Iraq later reopened its airspace for civilian flights, though it may take time for operations to normalize. Jordan has also reopened its airspace after a temporary closure. Meanwhile, Lebanon announced a two-hour closure of its airspace for safety.
These disruptions are set to further impact an aviation industry already grappling with restrictions stemming from various geopolitical conflicts, including the ongoing issues between Israel and Hamas, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war.
