The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has caused massive disruption to global air travel, with over 6,000 flights cancelled in just 48 hours, according to international aviation sources and real-time tracking data.
Airports across the conflict zone and surrounding countries — including Tel Aviv, Tehran, Damascus, Baghdad, Beirut, and Amman — have either shut down completely or are operating under strict limitations. Airspace over Israel, Iran, and Baghdad has remained closed for two consecutive days, while limited and heavily regulated overflight is being permitted through Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
FlightRadar24, a global air traffic monitoring service, reported that approximately 3,000 flights are being cancelled daily in and around the affected areas, causing widespread disruption to both regional and international flight schedules.
Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport has emerged as one of the most impacted hubs. Israeli airline El Al, along with major international carriers such as Air France, Wizz Air, Ryanair, and Delta Air Lines, have suspended services to and from Israel. Delta has extended its suspension through the end of August.
The aviation disruption follows Israel’s announcement on Friday of targeted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, missile production sites, and military leadership, as part of what it described as a sustained campaign to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In response, Israel placed its air defense systems on high alert and shut down Ben Gurion Airport.
In a cascading response, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan closed their airspaces. Iraqi state media confirmed a full suspension of air traffic as of early Friday, leaving eastern Iraq — a key transit route for flights between Europe and the Gulf — devoid of aircraft.
Jordan quickly followed suit, while Lebanon, Syria, and parts of Saudi Arabia introduced partial flight restrictions, allowing limited overflights only with prior authorization.
Major Gulf carriers have responded with widespread cancellations. Emirates has suspended flights to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran. Qatar Airways has halted services to Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Air India, which regularly flies over Iran on routes from North America and Europe, has diverted or turned back several long-haul flights.
Germany’s Lufthansa also confirmed the suspension of all flights to Tehran and is rerouting all operations to avoid Iranian, Iraqi, and Israeli airspace. Meanwhile, Israeli airlines Israir and Arkia have proactively moved aircraft out of the country as a safety measure.
Russia’s aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, has advised all Russian airlines to avoid the skies over Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Jordan until at least June 26. Additionally, it has barred Russian civilian aircraft from flying to Iran and Israel.
The aviation turmoil has had ripple effects beyond air travel. Global airline stocks took a hit on Friday — British Airways’ parent company IAG fell 4.6%, Delta Air Lines dropped 4%, and Ryanair declined 3.5%. Oil prices also surged, raising concerns over escalating jet fuel costs.
The current wave of instability comes just weeks after a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels landed near Tel Aviv’s airport on May 4, prompting temporary flight suspensions at the time. The latest escalation, however, has triggered a far more widespread aviation crisis with no immediate end in sight.
