(Reuters) – American strikes (link) on Iranian nuclear sites could increase the threat to American operators in the region, an organization warned on Sunday that monitors the risk of theft, while certain airlines have canceled flights to destination and from Dubai and Doha.
Airlines have continued to avoid a large part of the Middle East due to missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, the latest upheaval (link) with regard to travel in the region.
Singapore Airlines said it had canceled its Singapore flights to Dubai following a safety assessment, and British Airways canceled its flights to Dubai and Doha.
However, following a first Iranian missile shot, Israel reopened its airspace for six hours on Sunday in order to repatriate people blocked abroad since the start of the conflict with Iran on June 13.
The Israeli airport authority said that rescue flights to the country were going to multiply from Monday, with 24 flights per day from various destinations, “thus marking an important step towards the progressive recovery of international routine trips” it specified that each flight of this type from Israel could transport up to 50 passengers.
SAFE AIRSPACE, a website managed by OPSGroup, said that American attacks on Iran could increase the risks for American operators in the region.
“Although there have been no specific threats to civil aviation, Iran has already warned that it would ride by attacking American military interests in the Middle East, either directly or through agents such as Hezbollah,” said Safe Airspace.
At the same time, the Flightradar24 flight tracking website indicated that airlines maintained flight confidence in the region.
His website shows that airlines do not fly over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel. They chose routes such as the North via the Caspian Sea or the South via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, even if this implies higher fuel and crew costs and longer flight durations.
Missile and drone dams in an increasing number of conflict areas represent a high risk (link) for air traffic.
During the nine days following the Israeli attack on Iran, the carriers suspended the flights (link) to destinations located in the affected countries, although there were some evacuation flights (link) from neighboring countries and some flights bringing blocked Israelis (link) at home.
The Russian and Ukrainian airspace being also closed due to the war, the Middle East has become a more important road for thefts between Europe and Asia.
Airlines are also concerned about a possible outbreak of oil prices following American attacks, which would increase the cost of kerosene [O/R]
In the days preceding the American attacks, American Airlines suspended its flights to Qatar and United Airlines did the same for its flights to Dubai.
Safe Airspace said that the risks linked to airspace could now extend to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. “We continue to recommend a high degree of prudence for the moment,” said Safe Airspace.
Rescue and evacuation flights
The cancellations of British Airways and Singapore Airlines only concerned Sunday, but Singapore Airlines said that other flights between Singapore and Dubai could be affected, the remaining “fluid” situation.
British Airways, who belongs to IAG, said that customers who were to travel by June 24 to Dubai and Doha could reserve for free until July 6 inclusive.
Israeli carriers, El Al Israel Airlines, Arkia, Israir and Air Haifa, said earlier that they had suspended rescue flights to bring people back to Israel until further notice.
El Al said that she would also cancel her regular flights until Friday and Israir said she had interrupted tickets for all flights until July 7.
The Israeli airport authority opened the country’s main airport, Ben Gurion, near Tel Aviv, for landing for rescue flights on Sunday between 1100 and 1,700 GMT. The small Haifa airport, which serves the north of the country, was also open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. GMT.
El Al, as well as Arkia, Air Haifa and Israir, said that they would ensure at least 10 flights on Sunday from 11:00 am GMT.
Tens of thousands of Israelis and other people who had reserved tickets for Israel are blocked abroad.
At the same time, nearly 40,000 tourists in Israel are looking to leave, some, including Jordanian borders to Amman and Aqaba and others via Egypt and by boat to Cyprus.
Japan said that they had evacuated 21 people, including 16 Japanese nationals, from Iran to land towards Azerbaijan. This is the second evacuation of this type since Thursday and other evacuations will be carried out if necessary.
New Zealand said that it would send a Hercules military transport aircraft in the Middle East on Sunday, to evacuate New Zealanders.
The government is also in talks with airlines to find out how they could help.
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