Global airlines suspended or rerouted flights across the Middle East on Friday after Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets, prompting widespread airspace closures.
Airspaces over Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria were shut down following the attack, with several carriers halting flights to key regional destinations including Tel Aviv, Tehran, Baghdad, and Beirut.
Emirates, the largest airline in the Middle East, announced the suspension of all flights to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran. Similarly, Qatar Airways said it had “temporarily cancelled flights to Iran and Iraq due to the current situation in the region.”
Air France also suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv “until further notice,” citing Israeli airspace restrictions. “The safety of its customers and crews is its absolute priority,” the airline said in a statement to AFP.
Germany’s Lufthansa Group extended its suspension of flights to Tehran and Tel Aviv until at least the end of July.
Air India confirmed that 16 international flights—en route to London, Canada, and the United States—were diverted or called back due to the conflict. Two flights, from New Delhi to Vienna and Mumbai to London, were turned around just before entering Iranian airspace, according to tracking data from Flight Aware.
In the Gulf, Abu Dhabi Airport issued a statement warning of expected flight disruptions throughout the day, while Dubai Airport reported cancellations and delays linked to the closures over Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
The airspace shutdown comes as Iran retaliated with drone launches following the Israeli strikes, escalating tensions in a region already fraught with volatility.
The situation remains fluid, with airlines continuing to monitor developments and adjust schedules accordingly.
