Flights forced to turn back after Iran missile attack closes airspace: What's next for travellers?

Flights over the Middle East had to abandon their journeys yesterday after Iran launched a missile attack against Israel.

The airspace above Iran, Israel, Jordan, Iraq and other countries in the region was closed, causing airlines to change their flight paths to keep passengers and crew safe.

European leaders have condemned Iran's attack and tensions are high as the world waits to see how Israel will respond.

Which airlines diverted flights to avoid Middle East airspace?

In total, 81 flights were diverted by 16 airlines on Tuesday.

As you would expect Middle Eastern airlines diverted the most flights, with Qatar Airways and Emirates leading the pack. Istanbul airport was the worst affected airport, with 19 flights diverted.

According to FlightRadar24, at least three flights operated by German carrier Lufthansa on the way India and Dubai turned around before reaching Iranian airspace. Their journeys back to Europe extended flight times by up to eight hours.

Another flight operated by Swiss from Zurich to Dubai diverted to Antalya, Turkey, shortly before it would have crossed into Iran, FlightRadar24 shows.

The flight-tracking website also showed several Emirates flights bound for Dubai were impacted. The airline told AirlineGeeks that it was diverting some flights and cancelling others.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and are making all efforts to ensure minimal disruption to customers while assisting those impacted," a spokesperson said.

A British Airways flight from London to Dubai, a Royal Jordanian Airlines flight from Paris to Amman, and an Israeli airline El Al flight from Rhodes, Greece, to Tel Aviv were all diverted to Larnaca, Cyprus, FlightRadar data shows.

British Airways told Business Insider, "Safety and security are always our highest priorities, and we continuously assess and adjust our operations accordingly."

Where in the Middle East is airspace currently closed?

Throughout the day, some restrictions were lifted, FlightRadar24 said.

Jordan and Iraq reopened to flights late on Tuesday local time, though few were passing through the region.

Iran's has extended the closure of their airspace in anticipation of Israeli's retaliation for their attack. Follow Euronews' live coverage of unfolding events here.

How are travellers affected by Middle East airspace closures?

Many European and Asian airlines fly over the Middle East on their way between a number of popular destinations and have expressed concerns that the necessary rerouting will prolong flight times and add to fuel costs.

Airspaces throughout the region are often plagued by risks and complexities due to ongoing conflicts.

Iran’s airspace is one of the most frequently used by airlines travelling between Europe and India or Southeast Asia.

At the start of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza in 7 October 2023, airlines were forced to cancel or change the routes of flights through and around Tel Aviv. That situation has been monitored closely since.

Ongoing airspace closures could see airlines add hours of flight time to circumvent Iran and Israel to reach places in Europe, the Middle East, India, and beyond - similar to what happened after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Airlines like Japan Airlines, British Airways, and Finnair added up to four hours of flight time to avoid the Kremlin's airspace on flights between Asia and Europe amid Russian airspace closures and sanctions.

Although it is impossible to find out what route your flight will take ahead of time, you can monitor the flight paths of the same flight on previous days. This may give you some clues as to whether your flight is likely to be diverted or take longer than usual.

As always, check the status of your flight via your airline's website or app before heading to the airport.