Iran’s temporary shutdown of its airspace prompted flight diversions and fresh safety warnings on Wednesday as regional tensions disrupted airline operations across the Middle East.
Iran shut its airspace to all flights except authorised international services at 5:15 p.m. ET (2215 GMT), according to a notice posted on the Federal Aviation Administration’s website.
The restriction is scheduled to remain in place until 7:30 p.m. ET, or 0030 GMT, with the FAA noting that the prohibition could be extended.
A U.S. official said Washington was withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East after a senior Iranian official warned neighbouring states that Tehran would strike American bases if the U.S. carried out any action. Missile and drone activity in several conflict zones has increased the risk to civilian aviation.
India’s airline IndiGo said some international flights would be affected by the closure, while tracking data showed an Aeroflot flight bound for Tehran turning back to Moscow.
Earlier in the day, Germany issued new guidance advising its carriers to avoid Iranian airspace, shortly after Lufthansa adjusted its Middle East operations.
The U.S. already prohibits its commercial carriers from overflying Iran and has no direct flights with the country. Airlines such as flydubai and Turkish Airlines have cancelled multiple services to Iran in recent days.
Safe Airspace, operated by OPSGROUP, said most carriers were now avoiding Iranian airspace and warned that the situation could involve military activity, including possible missile launches or heightened air defence, which increases the risk of misidentifying civilian aircraft.
Lufthansa said it would bypass both Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice. The airline will operate only daytime flights to Tel Aviv and Amman through Monday next week to avoid overnight crew stays, adding that some cancellations are likely. ITA Airways, in which the Lufthansa Group holds a major stake, said it would also suspend night flights to Tel Aviv until Tuesday.
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