Middle East Conflict Disrupts Global Air Travel: Cancellations and Delays Surge

The ongoing escalation in the Middle East has led to significant disruptions in global air travel, with airlines forced to divert or cancel flights amid rising tensions. On Wednesday, major airports in the region, including those in Lebanon, Israel, and Kuwait, experienced severe delays, as reported by FlightRadar24.

Following Iran’s largest missile attack against Israel in response to Israeli operations in Lebanon, airlines scrambled to adjust routes, avoid conflict zones, and ensure passenger safety. Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel led to flight diversions, with some carriers like flydubai cautiously returning to the airspace after Iran signaled the attack had ended.

Despite this, flights across the region remained heavily affected. Polish airline LOT confirmed it is rerouting flights to India to bypass Iranian airspace. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had already issued advisories against flying through Israeli and Lebanese airspace.

Global airlines, including British Airways and Air France-KLM, have extended flight cancellations to Tel Aviv and Beirut until mid-October. The delays and cancellations have severely impacted passenger traffic at regional hubs like Dubai International Airport, which reported 85% of its departing flights delayed, while Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport saw 60% of its flights canceled.

The latest disruptions are a blow to an already struggling aviation sector, with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Russia, and the Middle East creating additional challenges. As tensions rise, the travel industry braces for further disruptions, potentially impacting travel schedules for weeks to come.

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