Several countries and international airlines have announced the suspension of flights and the closure of their airspace following the joint Israeli-US attack on Iran.
Lufthansa announced the suspension of its flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Oman until March 7.
A company spokesperson said that the decision comes as part of an ongoing assessment of the security situation.
Wizz Air also announced the immediate suspension of all its flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman until March 7.
In a statement, the company confirmed that it is closely monitoring developments and remains in constant contact with local and international authorities, aviation safety agencies, and relevant security bodies.
A FlyDubai spokesperson explained that some of the airline’s flights were affected by the temporary closure of Iraqi, Iranian, and Israeli airspace.
Some flights were diverted, returned to their departure airports, or canceled, the spokesperson said.
Several countries also decided to close their airspace as a precautionary measure to protect civil aviation.
Arab airspaces shut down
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced the closure of the country’s airspace, while Erbil International Airport in the Kurdistan Region announced the temporary suspension of its flights, a move aimed at ensuring air navigation safety amidst the rapidly evolving situation.
The Kuwaiti Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced the suspension and cancellation of all flights from Kuwait to Iran until further notice.
Directorate spokesperson Abdullah al-Rajhi confirmed that the decision was made in compliance with the highest air safety standards and in accordance with international procedures followed in such exceptional circumstances.
He noted that some other flights may be affected as their previous routes relied on crossing Iranian airspace, which could lead to delays until flight paths are reorganized.
The Russian Ministry of Transport announced that Russian airlines have suspended flights to Iran and Israel. The ministry indicated that flight times will increase as a result of adopting longer routes to avoid the closed airspace.
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced a temporary and partial closure of its airspace to ensure the safety of flights and crews and to protect the country’s territory in light of the escalating security situation in the region.
The authority confirmed that the decision was based on a comprehensive and thorough assessment of security and operational risks, and was made in coordination with relevant local and international bodies.
It emphasized that the safety of the UAE’s airspace and its air sovereignty are of paramount importance.
