Recent military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran have resulted in widespread flight cancellations to the Middle East. Airlines have suspended services due to the closure of multiple airspace regions in the area.
Flight Cancellations Surge to the Middle East
Air France reported cancellations for flights heading to Tel Aviv and Beirut on Saturday, citing security concerns. The airline further extended cancellations to Dubai and Riyadh for that day, and for flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday.
European Airlines Impacted
Major European carrier Lufthansa has canceled all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil, and Tehran through March 7. Additionally, their flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi are suspended until Sunday, as stated in a press release regarding the regional situation.
- Air France: Canceled flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai, and Riyadh.
- Lufthansa: Canceled flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil, and Tehran until March 7.
- Swiss (Lufthansa Group): Canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Zurich-Dubai routes until March 7.
- British Airways: Suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until March 3.
- Norwegian: Canceled flights to and from Dubai until March 4.
Regional Airlines Halt Operations
Turkish Airlines has halted its flights to ten Middle Eastern nations. Destinations affected include Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan until March 2. Flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and Oman are also suspended for the day.
Additionally, Air India announced it would suspend all flights to the Middle East. Russian airlines have similarly ceased flights to both Iran and Israel indefinitely.
Airspace Closures Affect Travel
Several countries in the region have closed their airspace, including Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and partially the UAE. Israel has declared its airspace closed to civilian flights, urging travelers to avoid airports until further notice.
Airspaces in Iran and Iraq are also restricted. The UAE’s airspace is experiencing partial, temporary closures, a situation echoed in Syria.
U.S. and Israeli Military Actions
On Saturday, U.S. President announced significant military operations against Iran. Meanwhile, Israel reported a “preventive strike” aimed at neutralizing threats to the nation, coinciding with explosions heard in Jerusalem and missile alerts.
The current developments have created a complex situation for air travel in and around the Middle East, with airlines and governments reacting swiftly to evolving security concerns.
