In addition to crude oil and trade, the Iran-Israel war, in which the United States has further intervened, is causing various sectors in the Middle East and the world to fall into crisis, among which the aviation and tourism sectors are already suffering.
After Israel launched its attack on Iran, the Middle East aviation sector has already suffered, and now the US is stepping in further, putting the sector at even greater risk.
According to Al Jazeera, many airlines have suspended flights to some destinations in the Middle East, while some are adapting. And using new routes is risky.
Now, the aviation sector is more at risk in operating transport to the Middle East because Iran has not only threatened, but has also launched an attack on the US military base in Qatar.
The attack came a day after the United States launched a missile attack on Iran, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian threatened to retaliate against the United States. Since June 13, when Israel launched its attack on Iran, more than 400 Iranians have been killed and at least 3,000 others injured, while at least 24 Israelis have been killed. However, Israeli infrastructure has suffered no less damage than Iran’s.
Amid the escalating conflict, air traffic in the region has plummeted, including over Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, while flights to Palestine, Iran and Israel are at zero.
Are all flights to the Middle East suspended?
Since Israel launched its airstrikes on Iran on June 13, air traffic has been disrupted in many Middle Eastern countries. The initial Israeli strikes forced Iran, Iraq and Jordan to close their airspace. After the hostilities began, Israel’s main airport, Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, was closed and airlines suspended all flights to and from Israel.
Meanwhile, as Israel and Iran continue to fire missiles at each other, hundreds of flights scheduled to pass through the Middle East have been canceled or diverted. Many international airlines have suspended or changed flights. British Airways and Air France-KLM canceled flights on the Dubai-Doha and Riyadh routes over the weekend, allowing passengers to rebook on revised schedules.
A British Airways flight from London to Dubai was diverted to another city after entering Saudi airspace, and some were forced to return to their original destinations. The airline also suspended services to Bahrain, with flights to some Gulf destinations suspended until at least the end of June.
Singapore Airlines also suspended services on the Singapore-Dubai route. American Airlines has suspended flights to Qatar and United Airlines to Dubai.
Germany’s Lufthansa has suspended its flights to Tehran and Tel Aviv and said it will avoid Iranian, Iraqi and Israeli airspace.
What about regional airlines?
Emirates announced that it has “temporarily suspended all flights” to Tehran, Baghdad and Basra until June 30. FlyDubai has also suspended services to Iran, Iraq, Israel and Syria until the end of June.
Qatar Airways posted a notice saying it had temporarily canceled flights to Iran, Iraq and Syria. The airline cited the current situation in the region, emphasizing the safety of passengers and crew. The airline said it was “fully complying with international aviation regulations for safe flights.” Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said it had suspended its entire Abu Dhabi-Tel Aviv schedule until July 15.
The airline said in a statement that it was “assisting affected guests with alternative travel arrangements” and warned that further schedule disruptions could occur. It reiterated that “the safety of our guests and crew remains the company’s highest priority.”
Why did the airline suspend or reroute flights?
The global aviation safety body has issued a high-risk alert following the US attacks and the potential for Iranian retaliation. The body said ongoing missile and drone activity in the region indicated a threat. The ban applies to commercial flights, especially those operated by US-based airlines.
