NEWS DESK (MNN); Major international airlines suspended or rerouted flights across the Middle East on Saturday after the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran, triggering renewed military confrontation in the region.
Flight tracking data showed Iranian airspace largely empty after Israel confirmed strikes inside Iran and the US military launched attacks on selected targets. Iran responded by firing a barrage of missiles, further escalating tensions.
The latest developments have dampened prospects for a diplomatic resolution to Tehran’s nuclear dispute with Western powers and reignited instability following weeks of heightened US military presence in the region.
The Middle East, already a critical aviation corridor due to the prolonged closure of Russian and Ukrainian airspace amid the war, now faces additional disruption. Airlines flying between Europe and Asia increasingly depend on Middle Eastern routes.
Industry experts warn that expanding conflict zones pose operational risks, including fears of accidental or deliberate downing of civilian aircraft. Rerouted flights also mean longer travel times and higher fuel costs.
Airspace Closures and Flight Suspensions
Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan shut their airspace after the strikes. Live tracking platforms showed aircraft diverting away from these territories.
A number of Qatar Airways flights reportedly took off on Saturday morning but later circled over Kuwait or Saudi Arabia before returning toward Doha.
Russia’s transport ministry confirmed that Russian airlines had halted flights to Iran and Israel.
Germany’s Lufthansa announced it would suspend flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday, and temporarily stop services to Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman until March 7.
Air France cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut, while Iberia suspended its Tel Aviv operations. Wizz Air halted flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until the same date.
Kuwait’s civil aviation authority suspended all flights to Iran until further notice, according to the state news agency. Oman Air announced it had stopped flights to Baghdad due to regional security concerns.
The United Arab Emirates partially and temporarily closed its airspace as a precaution. A spokesperson for flydubai said several flights were affected due to the temporary closure of certain airspaces on February 28.
KLM, the Dutch carrier under Air France-KLM, brought forward its suspension of the Amsterdam–Tel Aviv route, cancelling Saturday’s scheduled flight. The airline had earlier planned to halt services from March 1.
Virgin Atlantic confirmed it was avoiding Iraqi airspace temporarily, resulting in route adjustments.
Qatar Airways also announced a temporary halt to some air traffic as a precautionary measure amid the escalating situation.
