On February 28, a planned military strike by the United States and Israel known as ‘Operation Epic Fury’ attacked Iran, resulting in the death of the country’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The ongoing tensions have disrupted international flight networks as many airspaces are closed or restricted. This has left thousands of tourists stranded, in addition to putting a huge strain on the global tourism and aviation industries.
Here are the 13 countries most affected so far:
Iran
Airspaces are completely closed with all civil flights grounded, while the country is on the highest security alert level.
United Arab Emirates
Major airports such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been affected by drone threats, causing operational disruptions and flight rescheduling.
Qatar
Airport operations in Doha have been temporarily halted with airspace closed due to security risks and drone threats.
Oman
Still operating but facing regional risks, with increased traffic as alternative routes to other countries.
Saudi Arabia
Drone strikes reported near strategic areas, while flight operations are under tight control.
Jordan
Partial airspace closures, with flight operations disrupted and travel advisories issued.
Iraq
Airspace closed completely and commercial flights grounded amid highest security alert.
Israel
Fighting ongoing attacks, with major airports operating at limited capacity and maximum travel warnings issued.
Lebanon
Conflict with Israel causing major disruption to domestic flight operations and security.
Kuwait
Partial airspace closures with heightened security risks, foreign tourists advised to evacuate.
Bahrain
Flight operations affected with heightened security measures in place across the country.
Cyprus
Drone incident near military base, causing several flights to be cancelled.
Egypt
Not directly affected but in a moderate risk travel warning zone.
The escalating conflict is putting significant pressure on the global aviation sector. Airspace closures and disruptions are expected to continue for the foreseeable future, affecting tourist movements and regional economies.
Tourists are advised to constantly monitor current developments and obtain the latest information before planning a trip to high-risk areas.
