Air travel across the Middle East faced major disruption on Friday after Israeli airstrikes on Iranian sites led to the closure of key airspace, prompting airlines to cancel or reroute thousands of flights amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Airlines were forced to avoid Iranian, Iraqi, and Jordanian airspace following Israeli military operations targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile production sites, and military commanders. Israel described the offensive as the beginning of a long-term effort to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

The conflict escalation resulted in Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport being shut down, while Israel’s air defence systems were placed on high alert in anticipation of possible retaliation from Iran.

As the situation intensified, several major airlines suspended services. Israel’s national carrier El Al, as well as Air France-KLM, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Delta Air Lines, halted flights to and from Israel. Delta extended its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv through the end of August.

Wizz Air confirmed it had re-routed affected flights around closed airspace for at least 72 hours. Israeli airlines, including El Al, Israir, and Arkia, began relocating their aircraft out of the country for safety.

Flight tracking data from FlightRadar showed largely empty skies above Iran, Iraq, and Jordan, with diverted flights passing through Saudi Arabia and Egypt instead. According to Eurocontrol, about 1,800 Europe-bound or departing flights were impacted on Friday alone, including some 650 cancellations.

The disruption comes as the Middle East becomes an increasingly vital air corridor for flights between Europe and Asia, especially with Russian and Ukrainian airspace still closed due to the ongoing war.

Global airline stocks tumbled in response to the developments. British Airways’ parent company IAG dropped 4.6%, Delta fell 4%, and Ryanair declined 3.5%. The spike in oil prices triggered by the Israeli strikes also raised concerns over rising jet fuel costs.

Many carriers had already suspended operations to Tel Aviv earlier in May, following a missile strike near the airport by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Iranian airspace has now been formally closed until further notice, according to state media and official aviation notices.

Air India, which uses Iranian airspace for its Europe and North America routes, said several of its flights—including those from New York, Chicago, Vancouver, and London—had been diverted mid-air or returned to their departure cities. (AriseNews TV)