Several Middle Eastern countries closed their airspace to flights after Iran launched a drone attack against Israel on April 13. This drone attack comes a few days after an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus killed seven officers from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Multiple airlines canceled or diverted flights flying over the region amid the worsening geopolitical environment.
Countries That Closed Their Airspace
Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria have all closed their airspace to civilian airlines. Any flights currently operating in the region must fly over Saudi Arabia or Iran. Data from Flightradar24 shows no flights over these countries as of 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time on April 13. Major flight disruptions are expected since hundreds of flights between Europe and Asia go over the affected region daily.
The Israel Airports Authority released this statement about the airspace closure:
“In accordance with the guidance of the security system, starting at (12:30 am) the airspace of the state of Israel will be closed to international and domestic flights.”
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Public Works Minister Ali Hamie said about its airspace:
“Therefore, air navigation at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport has been completely closed during this period…provided that this will be updated an reviewed according to developments.”
Finally, Iraq’s Transport Minister Razzak al-Saadawi said: “Iraq’s airspace has been closed and air traffic has been halted.”
Airlines That Diverted or Canceled Flights
United Airlines has canceled its two scheduled flights to Israel and Jordan. The airline’s routes from Newark (EWR) to Tel Aviv (TLV) and from Washington-Dulles (IAD) to Amman (AMM) were called off due to airspace closures. These flight changes come only one month after United resumed service to Israel, with Delta Air Lines also expected to reinstate flights from New York (JFK) on June 7.
A United spokesperson said about the flight cancellations:
“We have canceled Saturday’s planned flight from Newark to Tel Aviv and its associated return flight due to restrictions on Israeli airspace. We are closely monitoring the situation and will make decisions on upcoming flights with a focus on the safety of our customers and crews.”
The following carriers have canceled flights to Israel or Jordan for April 14:
- Aegean Airlines: Athens (ATH) to Tel Aviv
- Air Canada: Toronto (YYZ) to Tel Aviv
- Air France: Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Tel Aviv
- British Airways: London-Heathrow (LHR) to Tel Aviv and Amman
- El Al: 14 flights to or from Tel Aviv
- Emirates: Dubai (DXB) to Amman
- Ethiopian Airlines: Addis Ababa (ADD) to Tel Aviv
- FlyDubai: Dubai to Tel Aviv
- LOT Polish Airlines: Warsaw (WAW) to Tel Aviv
- Pegasus Airlines: Istanbul (SAW) and Antalya (AYT) to Amman
- Royal Jordanian: Baghdad (BGW) to Amman
- Saudia: Jeddah (JED) to Amman
- Swiss International Air Lines: Zürich (ZRH) to Tel Aviv
- Turkish Airlines: Istanbul (IST) to Amman
- Wizz Air: Bucharest (OTP) to Tel Aviv
In Lebanon, Middle East Airlines postponed most of its flights scheduled to depart from Beirut (BEY) on April 14. The only flights operating will go to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt (FRA), Rome-Fiumicino (FCO), and Düsseldorf (DUS).
Several airlines have rerouted flights going over Iran’s airspace, including those not serving destinations in the Middle East. The carriers that changed their routes include the following:
- Aeroflot: A flight from Moscow to Tehran diverted to Makhachkala (MCX) in Russia’s Dagestan region. The carrier said the flight would return to Moscow after refueling. Aeroflot’s routes to Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were also postponed.
- Air India: A flight to London-Heathrow took a longer route on April 13 to avoid Iranian airspace. The carrier later stopped flying over Iran for all flights. What will happen to Air India’s route between Delhi (DEL) and Tel Aviv is currently unknown.
- Etihad Airways: Multiple flights connecting Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Europe and North America will be redirected on April 14. They will now go over Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
- Flydubai: An airline spokesperson said it will “make any amendments to our schedule accordingly.”
- KLM: Although the airline will continue flying between Amsterdam (AMS) and Tel Aviv, other flights will not go over Israel or Iran.
- Kuwait Airways: Flights over “the areas of tension” will be diverted.
- Malaysia Airlines: Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London-Heathrow
- Qantas: Flights from Perth (PER) to London-Heathrow are now making a refueling stop in Singapore (SIN). The return flight will continue to be nonstop. The carrier’s other route from London, which serves Singapore, will take a different flight path.
As for Iran, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines have suspended flights to and from Tehran (IKA). Both carriers, the only Western airlines to serve Tehran, will no longer fly over Iranian airspace.
Lufthansa said about its flight changes:
“Due to the current situation, Lufthansa is suspending its flights to and from Tehran up to and including Thursday, 18 April. The airline is no longer using Iranian airspace.”
Meanwhile, Austrian Airlines said:
“For Austrian Airlines, the safety of its passengers and crews has top priority. The situation in the Middle East is being evaluated on an ongoing basis. To this end, Austrian is in close contact with the authorities.”
