How the Middle East Airspace Closures Could Impact Your Flight

Condé Nast Traveler

2 days ago

Airlines are canceling flights to Tel Aviv and diverting routes around Middle Eastern airspace following Israel's attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.
Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Jordan have all shut their airspace, grounding planes and disrupting key east-west flight corridors. As of Friday, June 13, at least 1,800 flights to and from Europe have been disrupted as a result, including approximately 650 canceled flights, Reuters reports.
International airlines facing disruptions include Air India, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, British Airways, and Lufthansa. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have canceled service to Israel through Saturday, and Delta has issued a travel advisory for its Tel Aviv flights through June 30. El Al, the flag carrier of Israel, has halted all inbound and outbound services, and Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv remains closed until further notice.
Which flight routes are being diverted?
Multiple flights from the US to Tel Aviv and Dubai were canceled or diverted on June 13, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. For the most up to date information, check your flight status online or on your airline's mobile app.
Air India has diverted 12 routes, including several transatlantic and Europe-bound services. Travelers should prepare for possible delays and unscheduled layovers in cities such as Vienna, Jeddah, or Frankfurt, and reduced connectivity on key routes.
International carriers including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Lufthansa, and flydubai have also diverted or canceled flights that typically transit through Iranian or Iraqi airspace. Routes between Europe and the Gulf, and between Asia and North America, are especially affected. Some flights are being re-routed via Central Asia or the Mediterranean, adding hours to journey times.
For live tracking of international flights and diversions, platforms such as FlightAware and Flightrader24 provide up-to-date flight paths and statuses. For airline specific announcements, travelers are advised to monitor the carrier's official social media handles on platforms like X and Instagram. Government advisories and embassy contacts are available through platforms such as the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, UK Foreign Office, or the US State Department.
A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller India. This is a developing news story and will be updated with information as it becomes available.