Citing security concerns and the need to safeguard civilian aircraft, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain have temporarily restricted their airspace as tensions between Iran and Israel escalate. The unprecedented move has caused significant disruption to commercial and transit flight routes across the Middle East.
Major international carriers, including those from India, Europe, and Southeast Asia, have been forced to reroute flights, leading to longer travel times, increased fuel costs, and last-minute cancellations. The closures particularly affect routes that rely heavily on Gulf airspace for connecting flights to Europe and Asia.
Aviation authorities in the three countries stated that the closures are precautionary and will remain in effect until further notice. They added that the decision is in line with international safety standards as military activity intensifies in parts of the region.
The move underscores the escalating regional impact of the Iran-Israel conflict, which is now disrupting not only political and economic channels but also critical civilian infrastructure. Airlines and passengers alike are bracing for further unpredictability as diplomatic efforts to ease tensions continue with urgency.
