Multiple international airlines halted flights to and from key Middle Eastern destinations, including Tel Aviv, Tehran, Iraq and Jordan, following Israeli military strikes on Iran. The strikes, reported as a response to heightened regional tensions, prompted the immediate closure of airspaces over Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan, severely disrupting commercial aviation. Airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa and Air India announced suspensions, citing safety concerns and regional instability as the primary reasons.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 revealed a mass exodus of commercial aircraft from the affected regions, with planes rerouting to avoid closed airspaces. Emirates, for instance, canceled flights to and from Iraq, Iran, and Jordan, while operating select services to Beirut with increased monitoring. Qatar Airways suspended operations to Iraq, Iran, and Jordan, and Lufthansa extended its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran until at least June 19, 2025, reflecting the severity of the situation.
The Israeli airline El Al also suspended its operations, closing sales for flights between June 14 and June 17, 2025, and offering affected passengers vouchers for future travel. Air India, operating daily flights from Delhi to Tel Aviv, halted services to Israel and advised passengers to check flight statuses before traveling. Other carriers, including British Airways, EgyptAir, Etihad Airways, and Turkish Airlines, followed suit, either suspending flights or rerouting to safer paths, significantly increasing travel times and operational costs.
The airspace closures forced airlines to take longer routes, particularly for flights between Europe and the Middle East, leading to higher fuel consumption. Industry experts warned that prolonged rerouting could increase airfares by 10-20%, with Air India noting potential fare hikes during the busy festival season. Passengers faced significant disruptions, with many stranded or forced to rebook on alternative routes, often at higher costs due to limited availability.
The aviation sector’s challenges are compounded by ongoing regional conflicts, including Iran’s earlier missile attacks on Israel in April and October 2024, and Houthi attacks disrupting maritime and air routes. These incidents have repeatedly strained Middle Eastern aviation, with airlines adapting to dynamic security situations. For instance, Flydubai canceled flights to Jordan, Iraq, Israel, and Iran, while rerouting others to avoid restricted airspaces, further complicating travel logistics.
Regional airports, such as those in Tehran and Tel Aviv, reported minimal operations, with only a few flights, like those from Azerbaijan Airlines, landing in Tehran amidst the chaos. The closures also affected overflights, forcing carriers to navigate alternative corridors, which increased operational complexity and costs. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium highlighted that 20-25% of scheduled flights to and from the Middle East were canceled on June 13, 2025, underscoring the scale of the disruption.
The economic impact of these disruptions extends beyond airlines to passengers and regional economies reliant on tourism and trade. Middle Eastern hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, typically bustling with connecting flights, saw reduced traffic, affecting airport revenues and local businesses. Travel agencies reported a surge in cancellations and rebooking requests, particularly for leisure travelers planning trips during the festival season.
Airlines have implemented contingency measures to mitigate the impact, including flexible rebooking policies and refunds for affected passengers. Emirates and Qatar Airways emphasized their commitment to passenger safety, with teams monitoring the situation to resume services when conditions stabilize. However, aviation experts predict that normal operations may not resume until late June 2025, depending on the de-escalation of regional tensions.
The broader geopolitical context adds uncertainty to the aviation sector’s recovery. Israel’s strikes followed months of escalating conflicts, including Iran-backed militia activities and Houthi disruptions in the Red Sea, which have already strained global supply chains. These events have heightened concerns about the stability of Middle Eastern air travel, a critical link for global connectivity.
Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for real-time updates and explore alternative travel options, such as connecting through unaffected hubs like Istanbul or Riyadh. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged airlines to prioritize safety and coordinate with regional authorities to manage airspace restrictions effectively. As the situation evolves, airlines and passengers alike face a challenging period of uncertainty in Middle Eastern aviation.
