Rising tensions between Israel and Iran are causing major disruptions for US airlines and the broader aviation industry.
A week into the conflict, US airlines have temporarily suspended key routes to the Middle East, prioritizing passenger and crew safety in response to heightened regional risks. With travel advisories in place and airspace restrictions tightening, the situation is impacting both US and international carriers.
US Airlines Respond to Regional Instability
The United States Department of State has issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Israel, its highest warning level, prompting US airlines to act swiftly.
United Airlines has suspended its daily Boeing 777 flight from Newark Liberty (EWR) to Dubai (DXB) from 18 June to 25 June, as stated in a company release. Additionally, United has paused its two daily Boeing 787 flights from EWR to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) until at least 1 August. These suspensions began on 12 June, coinciding with the start of Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion.”
American Airlines, which does not operate flights to Tel Aviv or Dubai, has halted its daily Boeing 787 service from Philadelphia (PHL) to Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) from 18 June through at least 22 June, per CBS News. The outbound flight, AAL120, operated as scheduled on 17 June, but the return flight, AAL121, landed safely in Philadelphia on 19 June at 0917 local time, marking the start of the suspension.
This decision follows an urgent warning from the US Embassy in Qatar urging US citizens to “exercise increased vigilance” due to regional hostilities. While no credible threats were cited, the embassy restricted access to Al Udeid Air Base and advised citizens to stay aware, avoid crowds, monitor local media, follow local authorities, and maintain a low profile.
American Airlines emphasized, “We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation further as needed.”
Delta Air Lines has also suspended its New York (JFK) to Tel Aviv route through 31 August, aligning with United’s suspension from 13 June.
Delta stated, “The safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority. Delta is continuously monitoring the evolving security environment and assessing our operations based on security guidance and intelligence reports.”
The carrier has not confirmed whether it will proceed with plans to add a second daily JFK-TLV flight for the upcoming holiday season.
American Airlines, for its part, has not resumed TLV service since suspending operations there in October 2023.
Iran and Iraq’s main airports, Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) in Tehran and Baghdad International Airport (BGW), respectively, are also closed until further notice. No US airlines serve either destination.
International Carriers Adjust Schedules
The impact extends beyond US carriers, with numerous international airlines suspending flights to Middle East hubs. According to The Times of Israel, Air France, KLM, Air Canada, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Air India, and others have paused services to cities like Dubai, Tel Aviv, and even Riyadh.
Israel’s flag carrier, El Al, has suspended all flights through at least 23 June, focusing instead on recovery flights to repatriate Israeli citizens stranded abroad. The carrier has stated that it will focus on recovery flights to TLV from:
- Europe: London, Paris, Larnaca, Athens, and Rome
- USA: New York and Los Angeles
- The Far East: Bangkok
Recovery flights also took place on 19 June between Milan, Budapest, and Tel Aviv.
Airspace Restrictions Complicate Operations
Airspace closures are adding significant complexity to airline operations. Israel and Iran have closed their airspace, with Israel’s Ministry of Transportation stating that its airspace will remain shut until further notice. Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon have also faced temporary closures of their airspace due to missile trajectories in the region. Iraqi airspace will also remain closed until further notice, as reported by the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation.
These restrictions exacerbate existing challenges, such as the closure of Russian airspace due to Ukraine-related sanctions. Airlines are now rerouting flights, often adding hours to journey times and straining operational flexibility. The combined effect of these closures is severely disrupting air travel across the region, forcing carriers to rethink schedules and fuel planning in an already constrained environment.
The aviation industry is navigating a challenging period as US and international carriers adapt to the evolving situation in the Middle East. As the crisis continues to evolve, airlines are closely monitoring developments and adjusting operations accordingly.
As the conflict continues, global aviation faces yet another test of its adaptability, adding yet another crisis to a series of disruptions in recent years.
The aviation industry hopes for the best as the world holds its breath.
