India worst-hit by Middle East airspace closure

The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel has led to airspace closures across the Middle East, severely disrupting global aviation routes. 

According to the report, at least six countries, including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, have shut down their airspace in the wake of Israeli airstrikes and subsequent Iranian retaliation, creating a ripple effect that has impacted international travel.

India, already constrained by limited access to Pakistani airspace due to ongoing tensions, has been hardest hit. 

According to aviation sources, dozens of Indian domestic and international flights have been forced to divert, while several others were canceled entirely, causing major inconvenience to passengers.

Two flights from Delhi to Iran were reportedly caught in Iranian airspace during the closure but were safely diverted shortly thereafter. 

Flights bound for major global cities like New York, London, Toronto, Vienna, Frankfurt, Sharjah, Jeddah, and Istanbul were rerouted, resulting in extended travel times and delays at various international airports.

Pakistan’s aviation sector has also experienced delays and cancellations, although to a lesser extent. Seven flights, including routes from Najaf to Karachi, Baku to Lahore, and Karachi to Jeddah, were canceled. 

Flights arriving from Kuwait to Karachi were delayed by over six hours, while others heading to and from Dubai, Sharjah, Istanbul, Muscat, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Multan faced delays ranging from one to five hours.