Airlines avoid Iranian airspace, hiking up flight times and fuel costs

A Greek military transport aircraft carrying Greek and Cypriots citizens evacuated from Lebanon prepares for landing at Larnaca airport, Cyprus, on Oct. 3, 2024. (AP)
Short Url
Updated 03 October 2024
Follow

Airlines avoid Iranian airspace, hiking up flight times and fuel costs

  • “Most airlines have rerouted flights away from Iran,” said FlightRadar24 spokesperson Ian Petchenik
  • Some airlines have said they have resumed most of their operations across the Middle East

LONDON: Airlines are largely avoiding Iranian airspace in their flights over the Middle East, according to flight tracker FlightRadar24, lengthening flight times and hiking up fuel costs as worries over a retaliatory attack from Israel targeting Iran grow.
Turmoil in the Middle East in the last year has led to confusion and upheaval for aviation, prompting airlines to frequently change routes as they reassess the safety of the airspace in the region.
“Most airlines have rerouted flights away from Iran, with the northern route taking flights through Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India on their way to Asia, and the southern route flying over Egypt and Saudi Arabia,” said FlightRadar24 spokesperson Ian Petchenik.
Some airlines have said they have resumed most of their operations across the Middle East since Iran hit Israel with a ballistic missile attack on Tuesday, leading to flight cancelations and delays.
Petchenik said most strategic changes to flights to avoid parts of the Middle East have been lifted in direct connection with the Tuesday attack.
Late on Wednesday, German group Lufthansa said it would resume flights to Irbil in Iraqi Kurdistan using a limited amount of Iraqi airspace, and will resume using Jordanian airspace on Thursday.
It added that flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut and Tehran will remain suspended for the time being.


Jordanian king and Indonesian president to cooperate in stability efforts in Gaza

Updated 25 February 2026
Follow

Jordanian king and Indonesian president to cooperate in stability efforts in Gaza

  • Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasized his country’s commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state
  • King Abdullah stressed the importance of dialogue to reduce tensions related to Iran and to support stability in Syria and Lebanon

LONDON: King Abdullah II and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto discussed cooperation in an effort to restore stability in the Palestinian coastal enclave of Gaza.

The meeting on Wednesday at Basman Palace in Amman focused on regional issues, particularly the support for achieving peace based on the two-state solution, and the commitment to protecting Palestinians in Gaza, according to Petra news agency.

King Abdullah praised Indonesia’s political position and highlighted its investments in regional projects as essential to enhancing collaboration.

Subianto emphasized his country’s commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state, achieving lasting peace in the region, and ending the conflict in Gaza.

The talks highlighted the ties between Jordan and Indonesia, spanning over 75 years, and the commitment to enhancing cooperation in politics, economics, defense, business, energy, science, technology, and health.

King Abdullah stressed the importance of dialogue to reduce tensions related to Iran and support the Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon in maintaining their security, sovereignty, and stability, Petra added.

Several Jordanian officials attended the talk, including Crown Prince Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, and Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, and Escort of Honour Yarub Qudah.