Flights Diverted as Iran Strikes U.S. Base in Qatar
Airlines across the globe diverted flights and suspended operations in parts of the Middle East on Monday after Iran launched a missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar, escalating tensions and further disrupting regional air travel.
More than 20 flights bound for Doha were diverted, while at least four aircraft en route to Dubai turned around mid-flight, according to aviation data provider Cirium. The United Arab Emirates reportedly closed its airspace temporarily, while Bahrain also enacted a closure, according to Reuters. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 confirmed widespread airspace disruptions over the UAE.
Emirates, based in Dubai, acknowledged rerouting some aircraft and warned passengers to expect delays and longer flight times. The airline said it would continue operating as scheduled but was actively avoiding conflict zones to ensure passenger safety.
Air India suspended all flights to and from the region and halted transcontinental services connecting the Middle East with Europe and North America. Flights already en route were diverted either back to their origin or rerouted to alternative airports. The Indian flag carrier asked for understanding from affected passengers and stressed that the situation was beyond its control. The airline had already been under scrutiny following the deadly crash of one of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners earlier this month, with investigations still ongoing.
British Airways canceled all flights to Doha through Wednesday, citing recent developments and reinforcing that passenger safety remains its top priority. The airline said it was contacting impacted customers to discuss alternative travel options.
Several European carriers, including Air France, Iberia, and Finnair, extended suspensions of their Middle East operations. U.S. carriers American Airlines and United Airlines had already suspended service to Doha and Dubai, respectively. Earlier in the month, American and United had also suspended flights to Israel following Israeli missile strikes on Iran.
The growing regional conflict is further complicating global airline operations, particularly in light of ongoing airspace restrictions stemming from Russia’s war in Ukraine. Many international airlines have already been navigating longer, fuel-intensive routes to avoid Russian airspace and now must contend with additional detours over the Middle East.
Closed airspace over key aviation hubs forces airlines to make costly decisions, including flight cancellations, route extensions, and increased fuel expenses. As military tensions persist, airlines are expected to continue adjusting their operations to maintain safety for passengers and crew.
With security conditions rapidly evolving, carriers are closely monitoring the situation. However, the cascading effect on global air travel underscores the significant impact that geopolitical instability continues to have on the aviation industry.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com