Airlines Suspend Flights Following Israeli Attacks on Iran
The recent military escalation between Israel and Iran has triggered a wave of cancellations and route adjustments by international airlines. Israeli airstrikes have created a highly tense atmosphere in the Middle East, prompting multiple carriers to suspend services as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Immediate Reactions from Airlines
Europe Distances Itself from the Conflict
AEGEAN Airlines, Greece’s flagship carrier, canceled all flights to and from Tel Aviv scheduled for Friday, June 13. airBaltic, based in Latvia, went further, suspending operations on this route until June 23.
Air France indefinitely suspended flights to Tel Aviv, while KLM, the Dutch airline, canceled its flights to the city until at least July 1, according to the ANP news agency.
From Italy, ITA Airways extended its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until July 31, and Lufthansa Group confirmed the cancellation of all flights to and from Tehran. Additionally, it will avoid overflying the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Israel as an extra safety measure.
TAROM, Romania’s national airline, also suspended commercial flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Amman until Monday, June 16.
Wizz Air, for its part, announced the cancellation of several flights affected by regional tensions, without specifying concrete destinations.
North America Reinforces Precautions
Delta Air Lines stated that travel to, from, or connecting through Tel Aviv could be affected between June 12 and 30, urging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Asia and the Middle East Implement Strict Restrictions
Aeroflot, Russia’s flagship airline, canceled flights between Moscow and Tehran and made adjustments to other Middle Eastern routes following the Israeli attacks.
Air India announced route diversions and returns to origin for several of its operations as an immediate response to the situation.
From Turkey, AJet—a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines—canceled flights to Iran, Iraq, and Jordan until Monday morning. A spokesperson added that flights to Lebanon would only operate during daylight hours and that routes to other Middle Eastern destinations would be adjusted to avoid affected areas.
Airlines from the United Arab Emirates also reacted swiftly: Etihad Airways canceled two flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, in addition to delaying the departure of four others. Emirates suspended routes to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran, while Flydubai temporarily halted flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran, and Israel.
Qatar Airways chose to suspend flights to and from Iraq and Iran, aligning with the regional trend of prioritizing operational safety.
The Case of El Al Israel Airlines
Even El Al, Israel’s national airline, halted operations to and from Israel.
Impact on Air Traffic and Future Measures
The mass cancellations reflect not only an immediate response to a geopolitical crisis but also the complexity of operating in a region where airspace can quickly become a risk. Airlines are assessing the situation daily to make informed decisions that prioritize safety.
As tensions evolve, companies are expected to continue adjusting schedules and routes. Aviation authorities and operators are working in coordination to minimize disruptions, though uncertainty persists.
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