Regional tensions disrupt air travel: 1,400 flights affected, airlines reroute, cancel trips

Escalating military tensions in the Middle East have led to major disruptions in air traffic across the region, with widespread delays and cancellations reported since early Friday.

According to Eurocontrol, the European air traffic management body, up to 1,400 flights connecting Europe, Asia, and the Gulf are at risk of direct impact due to the closure or rerouting of airspace following the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran.

These disruptions could worsen should the conflict escalate further or trigger sudden regional airspace shutdowns.

In Kuwait, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported flight diversions and cancellations at Kuwait International Airport, with the ongoing security concerns playing a direct role in delays since last Friday.

Civil Aviation Authority data confirmed the cancellation of 26 scheduled flights over the past two days to prioritize passenger safety, while four flights were postponed, and others have been rescheduled as part of emergency aviation protocols.

Kuwaiti economist Issam Al-Tawari explained to Al-Rai that such geopolitical events exert pressure on the aviation sector by increasing fuel prices by up to 40 percent, raising overall operating costs, and forcing airlines to adopt longer, less efficient flight routes to avoid conflict zones.

He noted that these developments are contributing to a sharp rise in ticket prices, particularly on international routes.

Al-Tawari expressed hope that the repercussions of the crisis would remain limited but emphasized that airlines are now compelled to re-evaluate schedules, flight paths, and airport destinations due to the volatile situation.

As a direct consequence, Gulf carriers have announced the suspension of flights to several high-risk destinations, including Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon, after multiple countries shut their airspace in response to the Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites.

On a broader international scale, Lufthansa—Germany’s flagship carrier—suspended flights to Tehran and Tel Aviv until the end of July, and canceled routes to Amman, Beirut, and Erbil until June 20.

The airline is also avoiding overflights of affected areas, a measure adopted by its subsidiaries including Swissair, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, and Lufthansa Cargo.

The website Safe Airspace, which tracks aviation risks, confirmed that multiple international aviation regulatory bodies have issued urgent advisories urging extreme caution while flying in or near conflict zones.

Meanwhile, regional hubs such as Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Airports have urged passengers to monitor flight status closely, warning that last-minute cancellations or rerouting remain possible due to rapidly changing circumstances.