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Air travel across the Middle East was thrown into chaos Friday after Israeli forces launched large-scale strikes on Iranian targets, prompting countries to shut down airspace and airlines to ground or divert flights. Embassies are closing, travelers are stranded, and global tensions are escalating.
In the latest developments, Israeli embassies around the world were ordered shut, and citizens abroad were told to stay alert and avoid displaying Israeli or Jewish symbols, as fears of retaliation mounted. Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv was also closed, with Israeli airlines El Al and Israir pulling their fleets and suspending flights.
Meanwhile, some reports claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane had landed in Cyprus. That turned out to be false.
The Israeli government has warned its citizens abroad to stay in close contact with local security forces. They’ve also been asked to fill out location and safety forms, a step not taken since the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Meanwhile, some reports claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane had landed in Cyprus. That turned out to be false. According to confirmed sources, the aircraft touched down in Greece, not Cyprus.
The fallout from the strikes has reached airports far beyond Israel and Iran. Several major international airlines, including Emirates, Lufthansa, and Air India, canceled flights and are now avoiding airspace over Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan.
Air India confirmed that multiple long-haul flights from New York, Chicago, Vancouver and London were turned around mid-air or rerouted. Lufthansa suspended all flights to Tehran and said it would steer clear of the entire conflict zone “until further notice.” Emirates also pulled the plug on routes to Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.
Iraq shut its airspace and suspended all airport activity early Friday, with Jordan following suit later in the day.
In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz held talks with Netanyahu and announced tightened security around Jewish and Israeli institutions. In Stockholm, police were visibly guarding the city’s main synagogue.
The skies over Cyprus remained clear and calm as of Friday evening. No official airspace changes have been announced, but the island, situated less than an hour's flight from both Israel and Lebanon, remains on alert.
Cypriot authorities are monitoring the situation closely. Travelers with plans in or out of the region are being urged to check with airlines and brace for delays or cancellations in the coming days.
This is a developing story.
