Commercial air traffic across the Middle East has been severely disrupted following the US airstrikes on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear facilities, as airlines steer clear of conflict zones due to heightened security threats.
According to flight tracking site FlightRadar24, airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel is being widely avoided. Flights are now being rerouted over safer corridors such as the Caspian Sea, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, resulting in longer flight times, higher fuel consumption, and increased operational costs.
&ldquo;Following the U.S. strikes, commercial flights continue to avoid high-risk zones, adhering to airspace restrictions introduced last week,&rdquo; FlightRadar24 said in a post on X.
Aviation risk monitoring agency Safe Airspace warned that tensions could escalate further, potentially increasing danger to US military bases and civilian aviation in the broader Gulf region, including Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE.
While no direct threats to commercial flights have emerged yet, Israeli carriers like El Al, Arkia, and Israir have halted their rescue operations and suspended regular flights until at least June 27.
Israel&rsquo;s airspace remains closed, stranding nearly 40,000 foreign tourists, many of whom are trying to cross into Jordan by land or reach Cyprus by sea. Israel&rsquo;s Tourism Ministry is coordinating evacuation efforts amid growing international concern.
The Middle East&rsquo;s fragile security environment has left the aviation sector bracing for prolonged disruption.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

Mideast Air Travel Disrupted as Airlines Avoid Conflict Zones

After US strikes on Iran, airlines reroute to avoid airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Syria

Mideast Air Travel Disrupted as Airlines Avoid Conflict Zones

After US strikes on Iran, airlines reroute to avoid airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Syria

June 22, 2025 | 16:33 IST