Airlines across the Gulf region have begun adjusting flight paths and grounding planes due to increasing tensions following Iran's missile attack on Israel.
Several carriers, including some of the major airlines in the region, have modified their routes and schedules as the conflict escalates. Neighboring countries have also closed their airspace, pushing airline crews to find alternative routes to ensure the safety of passengers.
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways announced on Wednesday that it was rerouting several flights due to airspace restrictions in parts of the Middle East. The airline said it is keeping a close watch on security developments and adjusting its operations accordingly.
Emirates Airlines Emirates Airlines suspended all flights to Iraq, Iran, and Jordan on October 2 and 3, citing safety concerns. The airline is closely coordinating with authorities and is monitoring developments in the region.
Qatar Airways Qatar Airways has temporarily halted its flights to Iraq and Iran, due to the closure of airspace over these regions.
Flydubai Flydubai also canceled flights to Jordan, Iraq, Israel, and Iran on October 2 and 3, following the temporary airspace closures.
Kuwait Airways Kuwait Airways confirmed that it has adjusted flight paths for some services, which has impacted the timing of certain destinations. The airline said these changes are part of necessary security measures to ensure passenger safety.
Air Traffic Congestion FlightRadar24, a flight tracking service, reported that planes were being diverted to alternative routes, causing some to cluster over cities like Cairo and Istanbul. Istanbul and Antalya, in southern Turkiye, have seen increased congestion, forcing some flights to divert further south.
Escalating Conflict- Iran’s missile strikes came in retaliation for Israel's ongoing military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon. In response, Israel has vowed to take significant retaliatory measures. Eurocontrol, a European air traffic control agency, issued a warning to pilots about the situation, noting that Israel is under a missile warning.
Airspace Closures Airspace over Jordan and Iraq was closed shortly after the missile strikes. Jordan has since reopened its airspace, while Iraq's transport ministry later announced that Iraqi airspace had been reopened for civilian flights. However, it will take some time for normal flight activity to resume.
Lebanon also announced a temporary closure of its airspace for two hours on Tuesday, according to its transport minister.
The ongoing disruption is expected to further affect the airline industry, which has already been dealing with multiple restrictions due to conflicts in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.
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