Airlines steered clear of much of the Middle East yesterday after attack forced carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights in the latest upheaval to travel in the region. Proliferating conflict zones around the world are becoming an increasing burden on airline operations and profitability, and more of a safety concern. Detours add to airlines’ fuel costs and lengthen journey times.
Israel yesterday said it targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was closed and Israel’s air defence units stood on high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.
Israel’s El Al Airlines said it had suspended flights to and from Israel as did Air France KLM and budget carriers Ryanair and Wizz. Wizz said it had re-routed flights affected by closed airspace in the region for the next 72 hours. Israeli airlines El Al, Israir and Arkia were moving planes out of the country.
FlightRadar data showed airspace over Iran, Iraq and Jordan was empty, with flights directed towards Saudi Arabia and Egypt instead.
About 1,800 flights to and from Europe had been affected yesterday, including approximately 650 cancelled flights, according to Eurocontrol.
With Russian and Ukrainian airspace closed due to war, the Middle East region has become an even more important route for international flights between Europe and Asia.
The escalation of the Middle East conflict knocked shares in airlines around the world with British Airways owner IAG down 4.6 per cent, Delta Air Lines down 4pc, and Ryanair off 3.5pc. A surge in oil prices after the attack also stirred concerns about jet fuel prices. Many global airlines had already halted flights to and from Tel Aviv after a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels towards Israel on May 4 landed near the airport.
Iranian airspace has been closed until further notice, according to state media and notices to pilots.
Air India, which flies over Iran on its Europe and North American flights, said several flights were being diverted or returned to their origin, including ones from New York, Vancouver, Chicago and London.
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