Global Flight Chaos as US-Iran Tensions Trigger Widespread Airspace Closures

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Global air travel has been thrown into turmoil following escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran, with thousands of flights delayed or cancelled in what industry analysts describe as the most severe disruption since the Covid-19 pandemic

The crisis erupted after US and Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to retaliate with missile launches targeting several Gulf capitals. In response, multiple Middle Eastern nations swiftly closed or restricted their airspace, forcing airlines worldwide to suspend operations across the region

Major carriers from the Middle East, Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America announced widespread cancellations, leaving passengers stranded at airports across the globe

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, of the 4,218 flights scheduled to land in Middle Eastern countries on Saturday, 966 representing 22.9 percent  were cancelled. When outbound flights are included, cancellations exceeded 1,800

On Sunday, 716 out of 4,329 scheduled inbound flights to the region were scrapped

Flight tracking platform FlightAware reported more than 19,000 flight delays worldwide and over 2,600 cancellations as of 0230 GMT Sunday

Among the airlines affected were Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air France, British Airways, Air India, Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, all of which suspended or reduced services to destinations in the affected region

Several governments announced immediate restrictions on civilian air traffic as tensions escalated

Iran closed its airspace “until further notice” as the strikes began, according to state media. Israel also shut its skies to civilian flights, while Qatar temporarily suspended air traffic

Iraq halted all flights, and the United Arab Emirates announced partial and temporary closures of its airspace. Syria closed part of its southern airspace near the Israeli border for 12 hours, while Kuwait suspended operations entirely. Jordan’s military said its air force was conducting drills to defend the kingdom’s skies

Gulf carriers were among the hardest hit. Emirates cancelled 38 percent of its scheduled flights, while Etihad cut 30 percent, Cirium data showed. Qatar Airways suspended all flights from Doha, cancelling 41 percent of its total services

Syria Air halted all flights indefinitely. EgyptAir also suspended services to several regional destinations including Dubai, Doha, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Beirut and Baghdad

European airlines implemented sweeping suspensions. Russia’s aviation authority cancelled all commercial flights to Israel and Iran until further notice. Turkish Airlines halted services to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan until March 2

Air France cancelled flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Beirut, and suspended Tel Aviv services. British Airways halted operations to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until March 4, while also cancelling flights to Amman

Swiss International Air Lines suspended Tel Aviv routes until March 7 and cancelled select Dubai flights. Germany’s Lufthansa Group suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil and Tehran through March 7, and temporarily halted Dubai and Abu Dhabi services

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In North America, Delta Air Lines suspended New York–Tel Aviv flights. American Airlines paused its Doha–Philadelphia route, while United Airlines cancelled Tel Aviv services until Monday and Dubai flights until Sunday. Air Canada suspended flights to Israel until March 8 and to Dubai until March 3

India’s IndiGo and Air India suspended all Middle East services. Pakistan International Airlines halted flights to the UAE, Bahrain, Doha and Kuwait. Cathay Pacific cancelled routes to Dubai and Riyadh, while Garuda Indonesia suspended Doha flights indefinitely

Singapore Airlines and its budget arm Scoot cancelled several regional routes, and Philippine Airlines scrapped select services between Manila and key Gulf cities

Australia’s Qantas and Japan’s All Nippon Airways had not announced cancellations at the time of reporting

In Africa, Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Amman, Tel Aviv, Dammam and Beirut. Kenya Airways halted services to Dubai and Sharjah until further notice

With missile exchanges continuing and regional airspace restrictions in place, aviation experts warn that disruptions could persist if tensions escalate further. Airlines are closely monitoring developments as governments assess security risks

Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates as the situation remains fluid