The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran have led to significant disruptions in air travel, with Air India forced to cancel its Delhi-Frankfurt (AI 2029) and Delhi-Zurich (AI 151) flights on Sunday, June 22, 2025. The cancellations stem from en route airspace restrictions imposed due to the ongoing conflict.

Airlines are actively avoiding large portions of Middle Eastern airspace following recent events, including reported US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and missile exchanges between Israel and Iran. Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 indicates that commercial traffic is circumventing airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel. This has led airlines to adopt alternative routes, often flying north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, resulting in increased fuel and crew costs, as well as longer flight times.

Safe Airspace, an organization monitoring flight risks, has cautioned that the current situation could heighten risks for US operators in the region. While no specific threats have been directed at civil aviation, there are concerns that Iran might retaliate against US interests in the Middle East, either directly or through proxy groups.

Several airlines have already suspended flights to destinations within the affected countries. El Al Israel Airlines and Arkia have suspended rescue flights, and El Al has extended its cancellation of scheduled flights through June 27. Israel's airports authority has closed the country's airspace for all flights. Other countries are taking measures to ensure the safety of their citizens, with Japan evacuating its nationals from Iran and New Zealand sending a military transport plane to the Middle East to assist with potential evacuations.

The situation remains fluid, and airlines are closely monitoring developments, with flight paths being regularly reviewed based on weather conditions, safety and security considerations, advisories from international and regional bodies, and regulatory restrictions.