Travelers planning journeys to the Gulf states and surrounding regions should be prepared for extended travel times if airlines continue to avoid Iranian airspace, despite the recent Iran-Israel ceasefire. On June 25, airspace across Iran and the Middle East became operational again; however, platforms like Flightradar24 revealed that most airlines still opted to bypass Iranian airspace, choosing northern routes over Turkey or southern paths via Egypt and Saudi Arabia instead.
Impacted Airlines
Airlines particularly affected by these changes include major Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, according to Ian Petchenik, director of communications at Flightradar24. Air India has also felt the repercussions; the airline had briefly halted all flights to Europe and North America during the initial stages of the conflict. Although Air India resumed operations to the U.S. on June 25, it has shifted its flight routing to fly over Saudi Arabia instead of its traditional path over Iran. The airline has faced additional challenges, as its flights cannot traverse Pakistan after that country’s airspace was closed to Indian carriers earlier this year.
Regulatory Restrictions
U.S. airlines have been prohibited from flying over Iran due to a long-standing FAA directive. This restriction extends to foreign carriers operating code-sharing agreements with U.S. airlines, which further complicates international travel in the region.
Flight Time Adjustments
Travelers should expect additional flight times when connecting between western and eastern destinations via southern routes through Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Depending on the jet stream, these added travel times can range from 45 to 90 minutes, according to Petchenik. The widespread adjustment of flight paths to avoid Iran—a region that is over twice the size of Texas—has led to congestion across these alternative routes. However, air traffic control agencies operating in the affected regions have been managing the situation effectively.
Airline Operations and Adjustments
John Grant, a senior analyst at OAG, noted that airlines utilizing the Egypt-Saudi Arabia alternative have included extensive turnaround times at either end of their routes, providing a degree of operational flexibility. "They appear to be keeping to schedule," said Grant, indicating that most carriers are managing the adjustments well.
Emirates echoed this sentiment, reporting a successful implementation of their contingency plans. On June 24, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar suspended airspace due to a missile attack by Iran on the U.S.’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Following the incident, Emirates confirmed that only a handful of flights experienced longer durations due to airspace congestion.
Travel Demand Outlook
The ongoing Iran-Israel-U.S. conflict’s impact on travel demand in the Middle East remains uncertain. Tel Aviv’s airport has resumed operations, but U.S. airlines still have suspended flights to Israel, including United’s Newark-Dubai service. According to Grant, "it’s too early to say if there are any changes in traveler sentiment to connect via the Middle East super hubs," adding that these hubs remain solid options for travel as the situation stabilizes.
A conversation on an Aviation Week podcast included insights from executive editor Jens Flottau, who forecasted a short-term dip in demand across the region. However, he pointed out that travelers often have short memories and that demand is likely to rebound quickly should conditions in the Middle East improve.
Conclusion
Travelers should stay informed about airspace restrictions and potential delays when planning journeys through the Middle East. Despite current challenges, airlines are adapting their operations as circumstances evolve. Maintaining awareness of travel advisories and potential impacts on flight routes will be essential for anyone traveling in this region.
