As Iran's threat of retaliation against Israel escalates tensions in the Middle East, major airlines are suspending flights to Israel or rerouting around the region.
Italy's state-owned airline ITA announced on the 2nd (local time) that it will suspend flights to Tel Aviv, Israel until the 6th to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, considering the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
According to major foreign media, over the past two days, not only ITA but also India's Air India, Germany's Lufthansa, and the United States' United Airlines and Delta have announced the suspension of flights to Israel.
The suspension of flights to Israel by major airlines comes amid rising concerns of a full-scale war in the Middle East following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.
Iran has repeatedly vowed strong retaliation against Israel over Haniyeh's assassination on its soil. If Iran retaliates, it is highly likely to deploy aerial weapons such as ballistic missiles and drones, increasing the risks associated with flight operations.
Air routes to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, have also been blocked. Reuters reported that flights to and from Beirut have been frequently canceled or delayed this week.
This is interpreted as a consequence of Israel identifying Hezbollah, the pro-Iran armed group in Lebanon, as the party responsible for the airstrike on the Golan Heights soccer stadium and launching retaliatory attacks. Hezbollah has also vowed retaliation against Israel over Haniyeh's assassination and the explosion that killed senior officials within the organization.
The Canadian government notified its national airlines yesterday to avoid Lebanese airspace for one month. The UK government also warned pilots of potential risks from anti-aircraft weapons and military activities in Lebanese airspace.
More airlines are also avoiding Iranian airspace.
According to the flight tracking site Flightradar24, Singapore Airlines no longer uses Iranian airspace.
Taiwan's EVA Air and China Airlines have also started avoiding Iranian airspace on their flights to Amsterdam, Netherlands, which they previously passed through.
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