Israel-Iran Conflict Causes Severe Flight Disruptions

The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has led to widespread airspace closures and severe disruptions in Middle East air travel, with major airports in Dubai, Iran, and Israel halting or limiting operations. Tens of thousands of passengers are stranded as airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air India, and several European carriers reroute or cancel flights. The disruptions extend to increased cancellations on routes to Dubai from India and Pakistan, and even affect flights from European hubs due to bottlenecks and detours. The crisis is compounded by safety inspections in India after a deadly Air India crash and by adverse weather impacting major U.S. airports. Israeli citizens abroad face prolonged uncertainty, with the government organizing rescue flights while prohibiting departures from Israel to prevent overcrowding at Ben Gurion Airport. Analysts warn that this is among the most severe aviation disruptions the industry has faced in recent years.