FRANKFURT/BANGKOK/TOKYO – After the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in July 2014, many airlines—excluding Chinese carriers—abandoned the shorter northern routes over Russia and Ukraine. Flights between Western Europe and Asia were rerouted southward, adding three or more hours to flight times and driving up ticket prices.

Now, as conflict intensifies between Israel, the U.S., and Iran, carriers once again face large-scale airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, and Israel, prompting sweeping changes to long-haul flight paths.

Widespread Rerouting Amid Airspace Closures

More than 150 airlines, including Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines, have suspended or diverted flights to avoid conflict zones—similar to the MH17-era redirections.

• British Airways canceled flights to Dubai, Doha, and Bahrain—one Dubai flight was rerouted to Zurich.
• Singapore Airlines and Scoot rerouted European and North American flights around Iranian airspace.
• Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara now avoid airspace over Iran, Iraq, and Israel, opting instead for corridors over Central Asia—via Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and sometimes Pakistan.

Flight Time, Fuel, and Ticket Prices Surge

Rerouted flights are seeing disruptions similar to post-MH17 adjustments:

• Flight times increase by 20 minutes to over 3 hours, depending on the destination.
• Additional fuel consumption and kerosene costs are squeezing airlines—especially as Brent crude recently rose about 8% to $70.8/barrel.
• Airlines warn that these higher operating expenditures may soon translate into increased airfares for passengers.

Select Airlines’ Response

European Carriers

• Lufthansa: Avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace on Europe–Asia flights; resumed limited Iraq flights via Kurdistan.
• Air France-KLM: Has suspended flights over Iran and Iraq and adjusted schedules.
• British Airways: Suspended Gulf routes

Asian Carriers

• Air India Group: Avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, and Israel; some AI Express flights canceled for safety and low bookings.
• Singapore Airlines: Re-routed Europe and US routes via alternative corridors; no cancellations yet.

North American & Others

• American Airlines & United Airlines: Suspended routes to Middle East hubs.
• Qantas: Shifted Perth–London flights to avoid Middle East airspace, cutting payload and adding fuel.
• Air Canada: Rerouted Toronto–Dubai flights via Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Forecast—Prices Likely to Rise

The IATA warns that expanding conflict zones, frequent airspace closures, and missile threats are disrupting predictability and profitability in aviation globally. With longer routes and higher fuel bills, consumers can expect upward adjustments in airfares if tensions persist.

Prepare for delays and higher prices

Bolstering safety above all, airlines are swiftly replotting once again— routing round conflict-ridden skies as they did after MH17. These changes bring longer flights, higher costs, and potentially pricier tickets. The industry warns passengers to prepare for delays and monitor their flight providers for updates—while governments and carriers brace for further volatility in one of aviation’s most turbulent years.  (zai)