Iranian missile attack on Israel new updates: Global aviation industry disrupted, What about the flights from India?

Friday, October 4, 2024

Iran‘s missile attack on Israel on October 1 has sent shockwaves through the global civil aviation industry, significantly affecting international flight operations, including those connecting India to various destinations.

As tensions escalated following Iran’s retaliatory strike against Israeli targets, airlines scrambled to adjust their flight paths.

Many, including prominent carriers like Lufthansa and Air India, were forced to alter routes to avoid the airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel.

Mid-Flight Diversions

On the night of the attack, several flights were already airborne. Lufthansa’s flights from Frankfurt to both Mumbai and Hyderabad, designated LH756 and LH752, turned back from Turkish airspace to avoid entering Iranian airspace amid the escalating conflict.

Similarly, Polish airline LOT’s flight LO75 from Warsaw to Mumbai was diverted to Baku, Azerbaijan, while Air India’s AIC128 managed to continue its journey to Mumbai despite passing through Iranian airspace at the time.

Following the attack, Lufthansa announced the cancellation of its flights from Hyderabad to Frankfurt and Mumbai to Frankfurt on October 2, attributing the decision to the ongoing tensions in the region.

“Passengers have been rerouted or accommodated,” said Jeffrey James, Head of Lufthansa Group Communications for Asia Pacific.

Redrawing Flight Paths

In light of the heightened risks, many airlines, especially those operating between India and Europe, have revised their flight routes.

For instance, Qatar Airways and Etihad have shifted their paths to fly over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, circumventing Iraq entirely.

Air India confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation, with daily assessments of flight safety.

The airline has also suspended all flights to Tel Aviv until further notice, with some of its flights now taking longer, circuitous routes through Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Global Repercussions

The ripple effects of the missile attack are being felt worldwide.

Regional airports, especially in Lebanon, Israel, and Kuwait, are experiencing significant delays, while Emirates has announced the cancellation of all regular flights to and from Iraq, Iran, and Jordan for October 4 and 5.

FlightRadar24 spokesperson Ian Petchenik noted that airlines are predominantly rerouting flights to avoid Iranian airspace, with northern routes taking planes through Azerbaijan and Afghanistan, while southern routes traverse Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Concerns about potential travel disruptions amid escalating conflict have already begun to impact airline shares, signaling broader economic repercussions from the rising tensions in the Middle East.

As the situation evolves, airlines and passengers alike are advised to stay informed and prepared for ongoing adjustments in flight schedules and routes.

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Tags: Aviation industry, flights, India, international flight, Israel