Major international carriers, including Turkish AJet, Air France, Qatar Airways, and Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), suspended flights to several Middle Eastern destinations following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites early Friday.
Early Friday, Israel launched coordinated airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites, intensifying long standing hostility between the two countries.
The operation has triggered widespread security concerns and forced airlines to adjust their operations across several key routes in the Middle East.
Air France announced that all flights to and from Tel Aviv have been suspended indefinitely after Israeli authorities closed the country’s airspace in response to the strikes. A spokesperson for the airline stated that they are “closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East in real time,” and emphasized that “the safety of its customers and crews is its absolute priority.”
Qatar Airways temporarily cancelled all flights to Iran and Iraq, citing the heightened risks after Israel’s military strikes. The airline confirmed the decision was based on the current security situation, particularly after the targeting of Iranian military and nuclear facilities.
Azerbaijan Airlines cancelled its scheduled services to Tehran, Tel Aviv, and Dubai on June 13 and 14. In its statement, the airline said the move was a precautionary measure due to regional developments and growing security concerns.
Türkiye-based low-cost carrier Ajet has suspended all flights to Iran, Iraq, and Jordan until 06:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, citing regional instability and growing airspace restrictions.
Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi issued a statement on Friday alerting passengers to expected disruptions. It advised travelers to confirm flight details with their airlines before proceeding to the airport, as operations remain affected by the situation across the region.