RIYADH: Flight activity across the Middle East remained disrupted on Sunday as commercial airlines continued avoiding the airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
According to FlightRadar24, a flight tracking website, carriers have diverted routes either north via the Caspian Sea or south through Egypt and Saudi Arabia. These detours are resulting in higher fuel costs, longer flight times, and increased pressure on crews. “Commercial traffic in the region is operating as it has since new airspace restrictions were put into place last week,” the platform posted on X.
The airspace avoidance follows missile exchanges and rising regional tension after the US directly targeted Iran’s nuclear sites, deepening concerns about air safety. Since Israel initiated its strikes on Iran on June 13, many airlines have suspended routes to affected countries. Some limited evacuation operations from neighboring nations have continued.
Israel’s largest carriers, El Al and Arkia, announced the suspension of all ongoing rescue flights. El Al also extended the cancelation of its scheduled operations until June 27. Israel’s airports authority confirmed that the country’s airspace remains closed to all flights, though land crossings with Jordan and Egypt are still open.
Japan’s foreign ministry reported the evacuation of 21 individuals—including 16 Japanese citizens—from Iran to Azerbaijan. This marks the second such operation since Thursday, with more planned if needed.
Meanwhile, New Zealand announced that it is dispatching a C-130J Hercules transport aircraft and government personnel to the region, placing them on standby for potential evacuations. The aircraft is expected to take several days to reach the Middle East. The government is also exploring options with commercial airlines for further support.
