Global airlines cancel and divert flights as US-Israel and Iran conflict shuts key airspace

The conflict between the US-Israel, and Iran has resulted in airspace closures throughout West Asia and the Gulf areas, which caused global and Indian airlines to cancel or redirect their flights for the third consecutive day. Rising tensions have created operational disruptions for airlines, forcing them to adjust flight paths, postpone and suspend some operations, prioritizing passenger safety.

Airline stocks fall amid rising geopolitical uncertainty

Asian airlines and their associated market stocks faced dual financial challenges during the first two hours of trading. InterGlobe Aviation, operating IndiGo, saw a 4.24 per cent stock decline after investors reacted to the unpredictable conditions within the aviation sect, IANS reported.

Add Zee Business as a Preferred Source

Singapore Airlines dropped more than 6 per cent in early trading. The share prices of Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways were lower by more than 4 per cent, while Qantas Airways saw a similar drop.

Key Middle East transit hubs shut temporarily

The primary airports of Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi experienced extended shutdowns due to security threats. Airlines suspended their operations through multiple Middle Eastern cities, including Tel Aviv, Beirut, Tehran and Riyadh and other cities in the area.

The current situation has created severe travel disruptions, which make it harder for airlines to conduct their normal operations.

The situation impacted Indian airlines as IndiGo experienced more flight cancellations than all other airlines except its West Asian-operated flights. Indian airlines suspended approximately 410 scheduled flights for February 28 at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The cancellation count reached about 350 flights for March 1, while reports indicated that at least 300 flights would experience disruptions on March 2 because the conflict continued to interrupt standard air travel operations.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced its active collaboration with airlines and all relevant agencies to handle the current situation.

Air India suspends routes, reroutes Europe flights

Air India declared a flight suspension for all routes connecting the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar, which would remain in effect until 11:59 pm on March 2.

Air India announced that it now operates flights to Europe through Oman, southern Saudi Arabia and Egypt because Iranian and Iraqi airspace remains closed for security reasons. The airline's operational expenses have increased because its extended routes now require additional flight time of 30 to 40 minutes, which results in higher fuel consumption.

The increased security problems in the area have forced multiple global airlines to suspend their flights and modify their flight paths.

Air France, KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, ITA Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Japan Airlines, Aegean Airlines and LOT Polish Airlines and Norwegian Air have suspended or rerouted flights in the region due to rising tensions.

Many airlines are either cancelling flights or rerouting aircraft to avoid the conflict-affected airspace and ensure passenger safety.

Israeli airstrikes targeted command centres and air defence systems in Tehran during their Monday operation. Iran executed missile strikes against Israel and US military installations in the Gulf in response to the attack.