Iran has reopened its airspace for commercial flights on Thursday, three days after shutting it down in response to its missile attack on Israel earlier this week. The decision to close the airspace, a key route for international flights, caused widespread disruption as airlines were forced to reroute their flights and suspend operations.
A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Organisation of Iran announced the reopening, stating that “after ensuring favorable and safe flight conditions and ending the restrictions, airlines are allowed to carry out flight operations from 5 am today.” However, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised European airlines to avoid Iranian airspace until October 31, with the situation under ongoing review.
The closure of Iranian airspace had a significant impact on regional air traffic. Flights were diverted in wide arcs to the north and south, with many converging on Cairo and Istanbul. Major carriers like Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Qatar Airways, bound for hubs in West Asia like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, were redirected to Cairo and European cities. Many flights were also suspended or avoided the affected airspace altogether.
Meanwhile, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate. Hezbollah claimed on Thursday to have thwarted attempts by the Israeli army to advance into Lebanon. Israel has launched airstrikes in central Beirut and southern Lebanon, resulting in heavy casualties. The Lebanese health ministry reports that over 1,000 people have been killed in the bombing, and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes, adding to the existing economic and political crisis in the country.
