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Airlines Dodge Middle East Skies Amidst Tensions
15 Jan
Summary
- European airlines are avoiding Iraqi and Iranian airspace.
- Flights are rerouted over Afghanistan and central Asia.
- Iran reopened its airspace after a five-hour closure.
European airlines, including Wizz Air, Lufthansa, and British Airways, have rerouted flights to avoid Iraqi and Iranian airspace. This shift, occurring on Thursday, directs air traffic over Afghanistan and central Asia to circumvent escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East. The decision follows Iran's temporary closure of its airspace for nearly five hours on Wednesday due to concerns over potential U.S.-Iran military action.
While Iran's airspace has since reopened, many international carriers, such as Singapore Airlines and TUI, are maintaining alternative flight paths. This cautious approach reflects a broader trend over the past two years, where Western airlines have increasingly opted for routes over Afghanistan to bypass conflict zones. Germany also issued advisories for its airlines to avoid Iranian airspace.
A spokesperson for Wizz Air confirmed that westbound flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi now require refueling stops in Cyprus or Greece. Similarly, carriers like Ryanair have adjusted routes away from the Middle East turmoil, while Air France has a longstanding policy of avoiding Iranian airspace, underscoring the significant impact of regional instability on global air travel.
