Airlines persistently bypass Middle Eastern airspace following US military action against Iran
Airlines have taken a cautious approach and ditched large chunks of Middle Eastern airspace after the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, as per flight tracking website FlightRadar24. The air routes are a hair's breadth away from the region due to the ongoing missile exchanges, but things are getting more tense now.
FlightRadar24 posted on social media platform X, stating, "Commercial traffic in the region is operating as it has been since the new airspace restrictions came into force last week." The website visuals show that airlines are eschewing the airspace above Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel. Instead, they're opting for alternate routes, such as north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia. These routing choices could result in increased fuel consumption, longer flight times, and inflated crew costs, but safety remains paramount.
Missile and drone attacks in numerous global conflict zones pose a considerable risk to airline traffic. Ever since Israel launched strikes on Iran on June 13, carriers have pauses flights to destinations in the affected countries. However, some evacuation flights have taken place from neighboring nations, and some have been arranged to bring stranded Israelis home.
Israel's two major carriers, El Al Israel Airlines, and Arkia, announced they were halting rescue flights that permitted people to return to Israel until further notice. Israel's airports authority confirmed the country's airspace was closed for all flights, but land crossings with Egypt and Jordan remained accessible.
In an attempt to evacuate its citizens, Japan's Foreign Ministry evacuated 21 people, including 16 Japanese nationals, from Iran overland to Azerbaijan. This is the second such evacuation since Thursday, and further evacuations will be carried out if required.
New Zealand's government plans to dispatch a Hercules military transport plane to the Middle East on standby to pick up New Zealanders from the region. The aircraft and government personnel will depart Auckland on Monday. The plane will take a few days to reach the region. The government is also in discussions with commercial airlines to gauge their potential assistance.
On the other hand, the escalation of tensions between US, Iran, and Israel has resulted in heightened security threats[1][3]. Aircraft safety is at stake due to potential missile and drone activity. The enhanced risk of military action adds another layer of danger to air travel[2][3], and airlines prioritize their passengers' and crew's safety by adjusting their routes accordingly[1][2].
The finance industry is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, as airlines adjust their routes due to the heightened tensions between US, Iran, and Israel. This may impact the general-news sector, as travel restrictions and potential military action could result in crime-and-justice issues such as evacuations and stranded citizens. Furthermore, the transportation industry is facing increased risks, as aircraft safety is at stake due to potential missile and drone activity, causing airlines to prioritize safety over longer flight times and higher costs.
