Several Middle Eastern nations temporarily closed their countries’ airspace on Monday as Iran attacked the Al Udeid US military base in Doha.
Explosions were heard over Doha after Iran warned it would launch missiles towards US air bases in Qatar and Iraq.
The major escalation came two days after US struck three Iranian nuclear sites, and as Iran and Israel were trading missile attacks on Monday.
Earlier this morning, in a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire. He said it would begin in about six hours.
But the escalating tensions have already affected airlines beyond the Middle East, with major flight routes cut since Israel began strikes on Iran on June 13.
Routes to major cities have already been cut off, including some to Qatar’s capital of Doha, along with Dubai, which has the world’s busiest international airport.
Dubai Airports said its operations had resumed after a brief suspension, though it warned post on X of delays or cancellations.
Qatar also reopened its airspace after a brief suspension, its civil aviation authority said early on Tuesday.
Carriers have likely been avoiding Doha, Dubai and other airports in the region due to concerns that Iran or its proxies could target drone or missile attacks on US military bases in these countries, aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions said.
Here’s a look at which international airlines have been affected.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines cancelled flights to and from Dubai on Sunday after a “security assessment of the geopolitical situation”.
It warned further services on the Dubai route might be affected “as the situation remains fluid”.
British Airways
British Airways also suspended flights to Doha and Dubai. It said it was reviewing the situation for future flights.
Air France
Air France cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh.
Emirates
Emirates, which operates out of Dubai, has suspended all flights to Iran and Iraq for the next week at least.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq and Syria.
It advised other passengers that some flight times might change to minimise disruptions.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways warned its customers the situation remained “highly dynamic”.
“Further changes or disruption, including sudden airspace closures or operational impact, may occur at short notice,” it said.
Air India stops flights to parts of US and Europe
Air India said on Monday it had stopped all operations to the Middle East, but also flights to North America’s east coast and Europe.
The changes included diverting flights already in the air back to their take-off site and away from closed airspaces, it said.
These routes use what has become an increasingly narrow path between those destinations and India.
“It’s terrifying,” said Miret Padovani, a business owner who was stranded at Doha’s Hamad International Airport.
She was booked on a Qatar Airways flight to Thailand that was scheduled to leave late Monday. However she has cancelled her trip and is now planning on returning home to Dubai early on Tuesday.
“Everything happened so quick. I actually heard from people in the first-class lounge that the missiles were being sent this way before they were even in the news.”
Any other airlines?
In the days before the US strikes, American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar, and United Airlines and Air Canada did the same with flights to Dubai.
They are yet to resume.
Finland-based airline Finnair Oyj was the first to announce a prolonged suspension of flights to Doha, with cancellations until June 30.
On Monday, Kuwait Airways suspended its flight departures from the country, while the UAE’s Etihad Airways was rerouting flights on Monday and Tuesday.
With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed to most airlines due to years of war, the Middle East has become a more important route for flights between Europe and Asia.
Amid missile and air strikes during the past 10 days, airlines have routed north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
ABC/Reuters
