“While there have been no specific threats made against civil aviation, Iran has previously warned it would retaliate by attacking US military interests in the Middle East…”
US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites may have heightened threats to American airlines operating in the region, according to Safe Airspace, a flight risk monitoring group.
“While there have been no specific threats made against civil aviation, Iran has previously warned it would retaliate by attacking US military interests in the Middle East – either directly or via proxies such as Hezbollah,” the group stated.
Airlines have increasingly diverted routes away from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel due to ongoing missile exchanges between Israel and Iran. FlightRadar24 confirmed rerouting via the Caspian Sea or through Egypt and Saudi Arabia, despite the added fuel and time costs.
Singapore Airlines canceled flights to Dubai, and British Airways suspended service to both Dubai and Doha. US-based carriers, including American Airlines and United Airlines, had earlier suspended flights to Qatar and Dubai, respectively.
With Russian and Ukrainian airspace still closed, Middle Eastern routes remain crucial for flights between Europe and Asia. Safe Airspace also warned that risks may now extend to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
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