The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Iran, and Yemen are increasingly threatening global air travel. With missile and drone attacks exposing airspace and airports to danger, airlines are altering their flight paths. However, the resulting longer flight times and increased fuel and operational costs are contributing to greater uncertainty in air travel.
The most affected routes connect Asia and Europe. Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Western airlines have faced restrictions on using Russian airspace, and this year, the Iran conflict has raised risks for air routes in the Middle East, including Iraq. Recently, threats to routes through Saudi Arabia have further limited options for airlines, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on October 11.
According to the report, Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport has been attacked at least three times by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in the past week. The attack on October 10 resulted in at least 13 fatalities, leading to the suspension of airport operations and disruptions to flight schedules. The Houthis have warned that all airports in Saudi Arabia are potential targets, raising safety concerns for airlines using Saudi routes.
Saudi routes have emerged as a crucial alternative for airlines unable to use Russian and some Middle Eastern airspace. However, with this route now also under threat, airlines are increasingly relying on limited alternative paths through Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan.
Even these alternatives present challenges. British Airways has shifted its London-Mumbai route to pass through Central Asia instead of Saudi Arabia. However, this route requires flying over Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, raising concerns about air traffic control and safety management.
Meanwhile, Qantas Airways has determined that it cannot economically maintain its direct Perth-London flights without routing through the Middle East, leading to the suspension of those flights. Instead, the airline is making a stop in Singapore for refueling, which has increased flight times by up to four hours and added operational burdens.
Attacks on airport facilities are also on the rise. Since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict in February, there have been increasing instances of attacks on airports in the Middle East.
Iran has targeted fuel storage tanks at major airports in Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, damaging aircraft parked on the tarmac and air traffic control facilities. Additionally, Israel has attacked targets near Beirut Airport in Lebanon, while Saudi forces have struck the airport in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, controlled by the Houthis.
Earlier this month, an incident occurred involving a FlyDubai passenger plane en route to Israel, where the pilot attempted to hijack the aircraft and crash it but failed.
As threats to civilian aviation increase, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency, has expressed unprecedented concern. ICAO has urged member states to ensure that ongoing armed conflicts do not impact the aviation sector. It stated, "While the aviation industry can change routes to maintain operations even in conflict situations, such operational flexibility alone cannot address the fundamental security threats."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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