Several airlines have suspended flights to Israel’s largest city of Tel Aviv in the wake of cross-border tit-for-tat airstrikes in northern Israel and southern Lebanon last night (25 August 2024) as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
Major carriers British Airways and Air France are the latest to suspend flights between London, Paris and Tel Aviv after increased Middle East hostilities flared. Since July, 20 international airlines have pulled their Israel routes.
The Middle East Monitor reports that eight other smaller airlines have now cancelled flights to Israel, including Transavia (Netherlands), Wizz Air (Hungary), Corendon (Malta), Ethiopian Airlines, Aegean Airlines (Greece) and Greek Universal Airlines.
After amending its nonstop Perth-London route to divert via Singapore to avoid Middle East airspace in early August, Qantas resumed its direct service to London Heathrow over the weekend.
Surrounding areas of Jordan and Egypt have warned that increased tensions between Lebanon-based terror group Hezbollah and the Israeli Government could lead to a regional war.
The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) continues to urge Australian travellers to reconsider travel to Israel due to the volatile security situation and not to travel to some areas, including border areas with Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank.
The Smartraveller website notes the security situation in Israel could deteriorate quickly, with little or no notice.
“This situation has and may continue to result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and diversions and other travel disruptions. Some airlines have reduced and suspended flights to and from Ben Gurion International Airport in August,” DFAT advised.
In late July, Australians were also advised to leave Lebanon while commercial flights were still available amid concerns Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport could close.
Qantas pauses non-stop flights from Perth to London
9 August 2024
Qantas has suspended its non-stop flights from Perth to London and diverted the alternative route to avoid airspace over the Middle East as the region braces for an Iranian attack on Israel.
On Thursday, Qantas confirmed that for the second time this year it has had to pause the QF9 route due to hostilities between Iran and Israel, after it took the same precaution in April.
From Thursday evening, the airline’s Perth to London flights will instead operate via a stop in Singapore to refuel, with the code QF209.
The roughly 17-and-a-half hour flight to London’s Heathrow airport – the only non-stop regularly scheduled commercial flights between Australia and the United Kingdom – are only achievable on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with a route that skirts Iranian airspace.
“We’re making adjustments to some of our flight paths due to the situation in parts of the Middle East as a precaution,” a Qantas spokesperson said.
“We’ll contact customers directly if there’s any change to their booking.”
The return leg, from London to Perth, will continue as a non-stop service.
The same aircraft, a Boeing 787-9, can fly to a modified path to avoid flying near Iranian airspace without requiring a refuelling stop. This is because fuel burn and flight times are slightly reduced when flying eastwards due to jetstreams.
Qantas’ precaution follows a raft of other global airlines pausing or rerouting flights in anticipation of a flare-up in tensions after Tehran and Hezbollah vowed a response to a raft of recent assassinations.
Qantas alters some flight paths to/from Europe due to high tension
Wednesday 7 August 2024
Qantas has adjusted the flight paths of some of its flights to and from Europe amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
According to the airline, Qantas is “continuing to monitor the situation” in the region and has made the changes as a “precaution”.
The flying kangaroo currently operates flights from Australia to the UK, France and seasonally to Italy, with direct services operating between Perth and London, Paris and Rome.
A spokesperson for the carrier told Karryon its European flights will continue to operate nonstop.
“We monitor flight paths daily and make adjustments for a variety of reasons, including security and weather,” they said.
“We’ll contact passengers directly if there are any changes to their flights.”
Qantas is among many carriers to alter flight paths due to the Middle Eastern tension, with Lufthansa Group airlines avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace as a safety precaution, Singapore Airlines confirming the use of alternative routes citing safety concerns and Taiwan’s EVA Air and China Airlines also making adjustments to routes.
However, many carriers are still flying over Iran, including Etihad, Emirates, FlyDubai and Qatar Airways.
Airlines cancel some Middle East flights
Tuesday 6 August 2024
A growing number of carriers are suspending flights to parts of the Middle East – including Israel, Jordan and Lebanon – following recent attacks and rising tensions in the region.
Low-cost carrier giant, Wizz Air has become the latest airline to halt services to Israel and Jordan, citing the deteriorating situation.
Other major carriers including British Airways, United, Delta Air Lines, Iberia, LOT, Aegean Airlines and Air India have also grounded flights to the region, The Independent reports.
However, El Al, Israel’s national airline, continues to operate normally.
In Jordan, while some airlines have cut flights to the capital city, Amman, Royal Jordanian and British Airways are still flying. Aqaba, Jordan’s main leisure airport, has limited flights.
Meanwhile, Arab News reports that Jordan now requires airlines landing at its airports to carry 45 minutes of reserve fuel as a precaution.
Leaving Lebanon
Tuesday 6 August 2024
In Lebanon, several carriers, including Air France and Turkish Airlines, have suspended flights to Beirut.
However, Middle East Airlines is continuing to operate between London and the Lebanese capital, according to The Independent.
Travellers are advised to check with their carriers and travel professionals for the latest updates before departing.
Last week, the Australian Government advised Australians in Lebanon to “leave immediately” with a fresh warning that Beirut airport could close and leave travellers stranded as the volatile security situation escalates with Israel’s war in Gaza extending to other regions.
Avoiding airspace
Monday 5 August 2024
According to Reuters, Lufthansa Group has also suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Amman and Erbil until at least 7 August. The airline group is avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace as a safety precaution.
Among East Asian carriers, several airlines are also bypassing Iranian airspace due to heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Singapore Airlines has confirmed it is using alternative routes, citing safety concerns, while others, including Taiwan’s EVA Air and China Airlines, appear to have made similar adjustments, AN reports.
However, a significant number of carriers are still flying over Iran, including Etihad, Emirates, FlyDubai and Qatar Airways.
The UK has even warned of potential risks from anti-aircraft weaponry in Lebanese airspace.
Holiday hotspots
Monday 5 August 2024
Aviation risk management Osprey told inews hubs in popular holiday destinations Turkey and Cyprus could also be impacted by the growing Mid East tension.
“Travellers should remain prepared for flight delays at Cypriot and Turkish airports on the eastern Mediterranean Sea coasts stemming from the knock on effect of likely airspace closures and/or restrictions in the region in the short term,” Osprey chief intelligence officer, Matthew Borie, said.
“Airspace restrictions and closures may be initiated at short notice as part of military operations in the eastern Mediterranean Sea conducted to defend Israel from Iranian and/or Iranian-backed attacks and this could lead to flight route adjustments and/or schedule changes at airports in Cypriot and/or Turkish coastal areas.”
