On Monday, global airlines faced significant disruptions in flights as Iranian attacks on Israel with rockets and drones led to restricted air route options between Europe and Asia.
The assault, involving over 300 rockets and drones—most of which were intercepted by Israel’s U.S.-backed Iron Dome defence system—has thrown the aviation sector into chaos.
In response to the attacks, at least twelve airlines, including Qantas, Germany’s Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Air India, were forced to cancel or reroute flights over the past two days.
This event marks the most substantial disruption to air travel since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, according to Mark Zee, founder of OPS Group, which monitors airspace and airports.
“Since then, we have not encountered a situation where so many different airspaces were closed in such rapid succession, creating chaos,” Zee told Reuters. He added that the disruptions are likely to continue for a few more days.
The recent rerouting issues deal a significant blow to an industry already facing various constraints due to conflicts between Israel and Hamas, and Russia and Ukraine.
Zee noted that Iranian airspace, typically used by airlines travelling between Europe and Asia, now only leaves companies with two viable alternative routes, either via Turkey or Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Israel closed its airspace on Saturday, reopening it Sunday morning. Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon have also resumed flights over their territories.
Major Middle Eastern airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways, announced on Sunday that they would resume operations in the region after cancelling or diverting some flights.
Brendan Sobie, an independent aviation analyst, stated that it remains unclear whether the recent disturbances will affect passenger demand, which has remained strong despite ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
“If the political situation and conflicts continue to escalate, people might start to feel apprehensive about travelling at some point, but that hasn’t happened yet,” Sobie added.
