Global flight maps have virtually frozen across the Iran–Iraq–Syria–Israel corridor. Following Israel’s military operation targeting Iran, air traffic in the Middle East has come to a near standstill. Images reflected on global flight tracking platforms reveal that civilian flights have almost completely ceased, particularly over the airspaces of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel.
Because the Middle East serves as a critical transit corridor for international aviation, the developments are affecting not only the region but global air travel as a whole.
Flights Canceled One by One
International services have either been fully canceled or rerouted to alternative paths. The closure of the shortest routes, especially on the Europe–Asia corridor, has led to longer flight times and rising operational costs. Following heightened security risks, Turkish Airlines (THY) announced that it has suspended flights to many destinations across the Middle East.
EU Aviation Safety Warning
The European Union’s aviation safety authority has advised airlines to avoid Middle Eastern and Persian Gulf airspace due to the elevated risks following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
The Cologne-based European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an official warning covering the Middle East and the Persian Gulf after the attacks carried out by Israel and the United States against Iran.
The advisory, titled Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) and currently valid until Monday, March 2, serves as a technical recommendation warning airlines about the safety of airspace over war or high-risk conflict zones.
The warning covers all altitudes over the airspaces of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, recommending that airlines refrain from operating in the affected areas.
Aircraft Diverted to Istanbul
As several Middle Eastern countries closed their airspace following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, eight passenger aircraft were forced to land at Istanbul Airport.
According to available information, the airspace closures triggered significant disruptions in regional air traffic.
After Qatar shut its airspace, seven Qatar Airways aircraft flying from various U.S. cities to the capital Doha were compelled to divert and land at Istanbul Airport.
In addition, one aircraft operated by UAE-based Emirates Airline also landed in Istanbul after the country closed its airspace.
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