Following Israel’s extensive missile strikes on Iranian targets on last week, the global aviation sector has experienced disruption, with many airlines cancelling or rerouting flights to avoid the increasingly unstable airspace over the Middle East.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” saw Israel target more than a dozen sites across Iran, including nuclear facilities, missile bases, and key military personnel, severely weakening Iran’s air defences and escalating tensions in the region.
In response, airspace over Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria was rapidly closed, forcing airlines to undertake lengthy detours. Major airports such as Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion, Tehran’s Mehrabad, and Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport were either shut down indefinitely or for extended periods, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and causing widespread flight cancellations and diversions. The closure of these vital hubs has triggered a domino effect across international air travel, with carriers forced to navigate longer, more expensive routes to avoid conflict zones.
Leading airlines have reacted by suspending flights to the affected areas. Delta Air Lines announced it would halt services to Tel Aviv until at least September, despite having only recently resumed flights, citing passenger safety as the overriding concern. United Airlines followed suit, suspending its Tel Aviv flights through the end of July while continuing to evaluate when it would be safe to resume operations.
Israel’s national carrier, El Al, ceased all flights and advised customers against travelling to Israel, recommending that those currently abroad arrange accommodation until further notice. Other airlines, including Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, Emirates, Air France, and Air India, have also suspended or rerouted flights to avoid the impacted airspace.
The conflict has forced airlines to circumvent a patchwork of restricted skies, adding considerable time and fuel costs to flights. Aviation experts note that these detours increase operational expenses and carbon emissions, with jet fuel typically accounting for around 30% of airline costs; extended routes can add between 30 and 90 minutes to flight times, further driving up costs and fares for travellers.
The Israeli strikes represent the most notable military action against Iran since the 1980s Iran–Iraq War. The operation involved over 200 Israeli aircraft deploying more than 330 munitions on roughly 100 targets, including nuclear sites at Natanz and Isfahan, missile complexes near Tabriz and Kermanshah, and key Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facilities. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency within Israel, anticipating retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran, which promptly launched counterstrikes against Israeli territory.
This heightened security situation has left airlines and passengers navigating a precarious environment. With airspace closures and increased threats from missile and drone activity, the aviation industry faces a complex challenge in balancing operational continuity with safety. Passengers planning travel to the region are advised to closely monitor airline updates and government advisories, as the situation remains highly fluid and subject to change.