Middle East airspace shrinks as airlines halt flights amid Iran, US tensions
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Major airlines suspend or reroute flights across Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and 'Israel'.
- Civilian airspace faces unprecedented congestion and new “no-fly zones” amid heightened regional tensions.
The skies over the Middle East are becoming increasingly restricted as international airlines scale back operations in response to rising geopolitical tensions. As of late Friday, January 16, carriers have implemented widespread suspensions, daylight-only operations, and rerouted flights, turning the region into a maze of high-risk air corridors.
Carrier Suspensions and Restrictions
Lufthansa Group, covering Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Belgium, extended its Tehran suspension until January 28, halted all Beirut operations until February 28, and imposed daylight-only rules in 'Israel' (Tel Aviv). Flights to Erbil are suspended indefinitely.
Read more: European airlines avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace amid regional tensions
Air France-KLM withdrew entirely from Lebanon and 'Israel' and rerouted South Asian flights to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace, adding 90 minutes to journeys to New Delhi and Singapore.
British Airways suspended Bahrain and Kuwait routes until January 16, with a rolling review for the following 48 hours. Emirates and flydubai canceled services to six Iranian cities from January 14–16, with Baghdad and Basra flights under “tactical cancellation”.
US carriers United and Delta ceased flights to 'Israel' (Tel Aviv) and are avoiding all airspace bordering Iran. Wizz Air and Ryanair scrapped many routes to 'Israel' for the month due to insurance withdrawal.
Fuel, Rerouting, and Delays
Narrow-body aircraft, such as the Airbus A321neo, can no longer fly direct from Dubai to Europe because bypassing Iran adds significant mileage. Carriers like Wizz Air have established “fuel bridges” in Larnaca, Cyprus, and Athens, Greece, requiring mid-route refueling and adding roughly three hours to travel times.
Read more: U.S. embassy in Jordan issues safety advisory amid regional tensions
A major bottleneck now exists over Saudi Arabia and the Sinai Peninsula, where 80% of East-West traffic is concentrated. Air traffic control delays are mounting as planes queue through these narrow corridors.
Insurance and Electronic Threats
On January 12, London underwriters designated the Persian Gulf a “Hull War Risk Area”, imposing surcharges that can reach thousands of dollars per flight. Pilots near Lebanon and 'Israel' report GPS disruptions caused by electronic warfare, complicating navigation and night landings.
Geopolitical Drivers
The US Fifth Fleet has heightened readiness in the Persian Gulf, prompting airlines to withdraw from potentially vulnerable airspace. Iran, responding to internal unrest and external threats, has placed its air defense on high alert. Temporary Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) issued with no warning have forced diversions, raising the risk of incidents similar to the 2020 PS752 tragedy.
Airport Status Summary:
- Tehran (IKA): Red – Western embargo and military threat
- 'Israel' (TLV): Orange – Daylight operations only, rocket risks
- Beirut (BEY): Red – High escalation, insurance withdrawal
- Baghdad (BGW): Orange – Congestion and security risks
Airline officials warn that the current contraction of Middle Eastern air corridors is likely to continue until regional tensions ease, with passengers facing longer flights, higher costs, and limited route options.
