Airlines Suspend Middle East Flights Amid Israel-Iran Conflict

Major global airlines, including Emirates, British Airways, and Lufthansa, halted flights to Middle Eastern cities like Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Amman, citing safety concerns following Israel’s airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The suspensions followed Iran’s retaliatory drone attacks and Iraq’s airspace violation allegations, escalating regional tensions. The decision disrupted air travel, affecting Nigeria’s connectivity through carriers like Air Peace, which operates Tel Aviv routes.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a 72-hour no-fly advisory for Iran, Israel, and Lebanon, prompting rerouting via Cairo for Gulf-bound flights. Nigeria’s NCAA directed airlines to prioritize passenger refunds, with Emirates’ Lagos-Dubai services affected. Iran Air and El Al grounded all international flights, impacting regional travel hubs. The suspensions disrupted 500,000 monthly passengers across the Middle East, reflecting similar patterns during the 2024 Ukraine conflict.

Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry advised against non-essential Middle East travel, emphasizing passenger safety. The halt, a precautionary response to airspace risks, strained Nigeria’s aviation sector, already navigating 34% inflation. The disruptions, necessitating alternative routes, highlight the global aviation industry’s fragility, underscoring the need for diplomatic efforts to restore secure air corridors amid the Israel-Iran crisis.