Airlines Cancel, Reroute Flights As Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate

Israel’s airstrikes on Iran early June 13 have triggered a wave of airspace closures across the Middle East and led to widespread flight cancellations and diversions by major international airlines.

Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan have shut their airspace following the strikes, which targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders in Iran. In response, Israel’s military claims Iran launched around 100 drones toward its territory, most of which were intercepted.

Israel’s Transport Ministry says airspace remains “closed to takeoffs and landings until further notice” and has advised passengers to stay at home and not travel to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, which has also been closed.

Similarly, Jordan’s Civil Aviation Authority says airspace is suspended for all aircraft—incoming, outgoing and transit—as “a precaution against any risks resulting from the regional escalation.”

In a statement, El Al Israel Airlines says that all flights by the carrier and subsidiary Sundor “are suspended for the time being.” Flights scheduled to depart through June 30 have been closed for new bookings “until the security situation clarifies.”

“For customers currently abroad, we recommend arranging accommodation until there is a change in security directives,” the statement adds. “Flights that were en route to Israel have been diverted to land at various El Al destinations.”

Fellow Israeli carrier Israir says it has also suspended operations and is working to update passengers as the situation evolves. It is understood that both El Al and Israir have moved aircraft out of Israel amid concerns about further escalation.

International carriers have also been forced to alter schedules due to the unfolding conflict and widespread airspace closures. Emirates, Qatar Airways and Lufthansa are among the airlines that have canceled or rerouted flights to avoid affected airspace.

Emirates has canceled flights to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran, affecting routes to Amman, Baghdad, Basra, Beirut and Tehran, while Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended service to Iran, Iraq and Syria. Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines have also diverted some flights to Baku, and Lufthansa Group has suspended all flights to and from Tehran.

Flightradar24 data shows that Air India diverted a London-bound service back to Mumbai after flying for 3 hr. due to the closure of airspace. Other Air India flights have been diverted midair to various locations, including Frankfurt, Jeddah, Sharjah and Vienna.

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has also taken precautions. CEO Anko van der Werff tells Aviation Week that the airline has suspended service to Beirut and will assess the situation “over the next few days” as the situation evolves.