Airlines are increasingly steering clear of Iranian airspace, resulting in longer flight times and higher fuel costs as fears of a potential Israeli retaliatory strike on Iran escalate, according to flight tracking service FlightRadar24.
Over the past year, heightened tensions in the Middle East have caused significant disruptions in aviation, with carriers frequently altering their routes to ensure passenger safety.
This latest round of rerouting comes in response to Israel’s retaliatory missile strike following recent developments.
EASA (The European Union Aviation Safety Agency) advised: “In view of the Iranian attack against Israel on October 1, 2024, and Israel’s announcement of its intention to retaliate,” the advisory warned carriers “not to perform flights in the airspace of Iran at all flight levels,”
“The recommendation is valid until October 31, 2024 and can be reviewed earlier, and adapted or withdrawn, subject to the revised assessment.”
While some airlines have resumed operations in parts of the Middle East following the missile attack, flight cancellations and delays remain widespread.
Lufthansa, Germany’s largest airline group, confirmed that it would begin using limited Iraqi airspace for flights to Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan and resume flights over Jordanian airspace.
However, services to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Tehran remain suspended.
