Airlines weigh Middle East flight suspensions following US attacks in Iran, leaving passengers stranded
Airlines worldwide grappled with the aftermath of the US strikes on Iran, mulling flight suspensions and cancellations to Middle Eastern destinations.
Singapore Airlines, a region heavyweight, labeled the situation as "fluid" on Sunday, suspending flights to Dubai following a security assessment. This move came as the Middle East route gained prominence, acting as a crucial link between Europe and Asia, due to the closure of Russian and Ukrainian airspace amid conflict. However, flight tracking website FlightRadar24 revealed an eerie vacancy over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel.
Significant airlines such as Air France KLM and British Airways (owned by IAG ICAG.L) suspended flights to Dubai and Riyadh, while canceling flights to Doha for Sunday. These decisions were met with a review of the situation regarding later flights.
Missile and drone attacks in numerous conflict zones present a significant risk to air traffic, and these risks escalated after the US attacks on Iran's nuclear sites, according to a flight risk-monitoring organization named Safe Airspace, operated by OPSGROUP.
Preceding the US strikes, US carriers like American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar, and United Airlines halted flights to Dubai owing to immediate security threats.
Beyond the cancellations and suspensions, airlines expressed concern over potential oil price spikes following the US attacks, which would hike jet fuel costs.
In contrast, Israel ramped up flights to facilitate stranded travelers at home and abroad. The country’s Airports Authority announced the expansion of "rescue flights" to Israel on Monday, with 24 flights per day, albeit each catering to only 50 passengers. Israeli airline El Al reported receiving applications from around 25,000 individuals seeking to leave the country within a day.
In essence, the unrest in the Middle East brought about ongoing disruptions to commercial flight operations, characterized by flight suspensions, cancellations, airspace closures, and rerouting. Thousands of travelers were affected, triggering governments and airlines to issue travel advisories.
Travelers planning their lifestyles and traveling in the near future might face challenges, as airlines continue assessing the situation amid unrest in the Middle East, leading to flight suspensions and cancellations. For instance, Singapore Airlines has already suspended flights to Dubai and Air France KLM, British Airways, and numerous other airlines have done the same for Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha. The surge in missile and drone attacks in various conflict zones, escalated by the US attacks on Iran's nuclear sites, has presenting significant risks to air traffic.
