Missiles too close for comfort for airlines in Iran-Israel war
Airline travellers were confronted with dizzying sights of missile launches visible from the windows of passenger planes even before the start of the war between Israel and Iran on Friday.
The closure of airspace over the two countries has had a cascading effect through the region, grounding flights and leaving travellers stranded.
Israel has closed its primary international Ben Gurion Airport until further notice, while Iran on Friday suspended flights to and from the country's main Khomeini International Airport on the outskirts of Tehran.
Flight radar data shows commercial aircraft fleeing Iranian and Israeli airspace as the two Middle Eastern foes fired salvos of missiles and drones at each other. Israel has launched airstrikes as well in its effort to destroy Iran's nuclear program.
Iraq's airports have all closed due to its proximity to Iran. Israel has launched strikes on Iran, reportedly through Iraqi airspace. Iranian drones and missiles flying the other way, meanwhile, have been downed over Iraq.
The expansion of the war on Friday came after Iran and Israel fired missiles at each other as recently as October.
Dubai-based airline Emirates has cancelled some flights and rerouted others through the region 'following recent airspace closures'. Flights to Jordan, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq have been cancelled.
'We are actively and closely monitoring the situation, engaging with relevant stakeholders, and adjusting our operations in line with the latest updates,' said a spokesperson for the airline, which has 63 flights a week to and from Australia.
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