Middle East Airspace Closed. Airlines Suspend Flights and Reroute Traffic

Following Israel's attack on Iranian military and nuclear targets, air traffic over the Middle East has experienced severe disruptions. Airlines, prioritizing the safety of passengers and crew, are suspending flights and avoiding the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon.

On Friday, June 13, Israel launched an offensive targeting Iran's nuclear facilities and military infrastructure. In response, several countries closed their airspace. The aviation sector reacted immediately. Numerous airlines suspended connections, and hundreds of flights were rerouted along alternative paths.
Disruptions in the flight network

Emirates announced the suspension of several routes from Dubai to the capitals of Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon. As of June 13, flights to Baghdad, Basra, Tehran, Amman, and Beirut have been canceled. This decision remains in effect until further notice. Passengers are advised to contact their travel agency or the airline’s call center.

The disruptions are not limited to Emirates. Lufthansa suspended its flights to Tehran and is avoiding the airspace over Iran, Iraq, and Israel. flydubai canceled its routes to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran, and Israel. Qatar Airways withdrew two scheduled flights to Syria’s capital. Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines are redirecting flights to Baku, while an Emirates flight from Manchester was diverted to Istanbul instead of continuing to Dubai.
Alternative flight routes

With critical air corridors closed, air traffic is being rerouted. Aircraft that previously flew over the Middle East are now traveling south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia or north via Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. The situation remains dynamic, and airlines are continuously adjusting their operations, including rerouting flight paths, delaying departures, or temporarily suspending services.

All decisions are made with the safety of passengers and crew in mind. Although the disruptions have a global reach, the Middle East is experiencing the most severe impact. The scale of the disruptions highlights how interconnected and vulnerable the modern air travel network truly is.