The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran is causing significant disruptions to global travel. Despite some countries in the Middle East claiming their airspaces are open, many airlines are still facing delays, cancellations, and suspensions. This turmoil follows Iran’s missile attack on U.S. forces at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, which occurred in response to U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
The situation escalated on June 13 when Israel launched unexpected attacks on Iran, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile and drone strikes. As a result, airports in the region have been on high alert. Qatar temporarily closed its airspace on Monday, leading Qatar Airways to suspend its flights.
Airlines have been heavily impacted. Emirates, based in Dubai, has suspended all flights to Iran and Iraq until June 30. Other flights continue but are being rerouted to avoid conflict zones, which may cause delays. Gulf Air from Bahrain has also canceled flights to Jordan until June 27.
The impact on flights is significant. By Tuesday morning, there were over 382 flight cancellations worldwide, following 834 cancellations the previous day. Airports in the Middle East, which are vital for connecting flights between Europe and Asia, are facing major disruptions.
In a slight sign of improvement, Iraqi airspace has reopened, allowing flights to transit through it. However, it remains unclear if Iranian airspace is open to international flights. Meanwhile, Ben Gurion Airport in Israel is reportedly returning to normal operations.
Airlines from outside the region are also adjusting their schedules. Singapore Airlines has canceled some flights to and from Dubai, while British Airways has suspended its flights to Doha, with plans to reassess the situation later.
As tensions continue, the travel landscape remains uncertain, with many airlines prioritizing safety in their operations.