European airlines avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace amid regional tensions
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- European airlines avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace despite reopening, citing geopolitical risks.
- Flights rerouted over Afghanistan and Central Asia; some require refueling stops in Cyprus or Greece.
Flight tracking data shows European carriers including Wizz Air, Lufthansa, and British Airways are avoiding Iraqi and Iranian airspace on Thursday, opting for alternative routes over Afghanistan and Central Asia to minimize risks from ongoing geopolitical instability in Iran and the Middle East, according to Reuters.
Iran briefly closed its airspace late Wednesday for nearly five hours amid fears of potential US military action, forcing airlines to reroute, cancel, or delay flights. Despite reopening, FlightRadar24 data shows several airlines, including Singapore Airlines and TUI, continue to use alternate paths.
Read more: Lufthansa, ITA Airways suspend ‘Israel’ flights amid Iran tensions: Hebrew media
Over the past two years, Western carriers have frequently altered routes over the Middle East, often flying over Afghanistan despite Taliban control, to avoid high-risk conflict zones.
Germany issued new guidance Wednesday warning domestic airlines against entering Iranian airspace, shortly after Lufthansa reorganized its Middle East flight operations amid rising regional tensions.
A Wizz Air spokesperson said, “We are avoiding Iraqi and Iranian airspace. Some westbound flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi will need to stop in Larnaca, Cyprus, or Thessaloniki, Greece, for refueling and crew changes.”
Read more: ‘Israel’ opens bomb shelters amid US tensions with Iran
Airlines such as Ryanair have also recently rerouted flights to avoid the Middle East, particularly in light of unrest surrounding 'Israel', Iran, and neighboring countries. Carriers like Air France have long avoided Iranian airspace.
