Airlines⁢ Divert Flights Amid⁤ Middle East Military Conflict

⁤ ⁤ Updated‌ June 23, 2025
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airlines are diverting flights‍ across the Middle ‍East after⁤ Iran’s ⁣armed⁣ forces launched a missile strike on a U.S. military base in‌ qatar.⁢ The ongoing military conflict has significantly disrupted air travel in ‌the region.

According to Cirium, an aviation data firm, ⁣more than ⁢20 commercial flights headed to doha, Qatar, were rerouted. ⁣Additionally, four flights bound ‍for Dubai in the⁣ United Arab Emirates turned ⁣around. Flightradar24 reported a temporary‌ closure of UAE airspace.​ reuters ⁤added that⁢ Bahrain also briefly​ closed‌ its airspace.

Emirates, based in dubai, confirmed rerouting some flights and warned customers of potential delays and longer flight times. The airline stated it would maintain its⁢ schedule, using “flight paths well distanced from conflict areas.”

Air India announced it ‌has suspended all flights in and out of the region,including those to ‍and from the east coast of North America and Europe,”until further ⁤notice.”

“Our ⁤India-bound flights from North America are diverting back ⁢to their respective origins and others are being⁤ diverted back ‌to India or ⁢re-routed away from the closed airspaces,” Air India ‍said in a post on⁢ X. “We request the understanding of all passengers who might potentially be ⁣affected by this disruption that’s beyond an airline’s control.”
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The airline had previously announced ​some schedule cuts for ​safety‍ checks following a fatal​ Boeing 787 crash ⁣earlier ⁤in‌ June. The ⁣cause of that ⁤crash remains ‌under inquiry.

British ‍Airways said it is canceling its Doha flights through Wednesday “following the latest developments.”

‍ ⁣ ‌”Safety ⁢is always our highest priority,” the ‌airline stated. ‍”We ​are contacting our ⁣customers‍ to advise them of their options and will keep the situation⁤ under review.”

Several major international airlines, including Air‌ France,⁢ Iberia, and Finnair, had already postponed resuming service⁢ to ⁤some Middle ‌East ‌destinations. ​American Airlines⁤ previously suspended its ‌Doha flights, while United Airlines paused service to Dubai. U.S. carriers also⁤ suspended ⁤service to Israel after ⁣that country’s strike on Iran earlier in June.

The‌ Middle East conflict adds to existing challenges for airlines,including restricted‌ airspace due to‍ the Ukraine war and the closure⁤ of ‌Russian airspace to⁣ many carriers. ‌While airlines have been avoiding certain areas in ‌the Middle east due⁤ to security‍ concerns, airspace closures result in longer, more costly routes requiring‌ additional fuel.

What’s next

Airlines will continue‍ to ‍monitor the situation and adjust flight paths as needed. Passengers ‍should check ‍with their airlines ⁤for the latest updates on flight schedules and potential ​delays as the military ‍conflict continues to impact air travel.