The whole situation within the Middle Eastern area has just intensified in terms of worry.
From the minute the news broke on an airstrike to Iran’s nuclear facilities it was shocking. In addition to the core geopolitical actors being totally disrupted in their travel plans, the aviation world was in emergency mode- running around like headless chickens trying to keep up. Additionally, due to COVID, airlines across the globe halted travel and because Iran was such a vast actor in many diversions between continents, it meant many airlines stopped flying altogether for a time.
It did not take long for people entering Europe to declare war on the neutrality of Iraqi and Iranian airspace from the traffic-dense flows through Egypt and Saudi Arabia bordering both sides if they attempted to cross the Caspian Sea. These countries are parts of transcontinental divisions and dynamic airlines are extremely concerned with timing and costs. After having fuel droughts rates from X (version 2 Twitter) were lower.
Last summer had tension without measures that could shallow out, as civilian planes operated, taking range ratings; claiming mitigations to try and turn away proxy groups to Iran such as Hezbollah; while the odds of supporting them had greatly been reduced due to raw power, backed by muscle, left anxious anger from the general populace.
Evacuation Mode Activated
Japan had coordinated the extraction of 16 of their nationals, along with five others via a land route to Azerbaijan, in order to evacuate. It was not Japan’s first trip as there was a first trip only a couple of days ago.
In this context, New Zealand appears to still be cognizant of possible threats instead relocating C-130J Hercules military aircraft back to active duty in order to possibly execute evacuation flights for her nationals in that area. While that may take them a few days, at least they are prepared.
All aviation operations were grounded which caused back logs at the borders; El Al had also grounded all operations, and along with Israir and Arkia, who correctly jumped on to the flight halt band wagon; they were advancing further emissions into air travel over Egypt, and Jordan where the borders for now remain open.
When there are no flights, nearly 40,000 stranded tourists in Israel are getting to Jordan, or by sheer luck, a ferry to Cyprus. Only to get stuck and go through agonizing traffic jams and jams all bringing hope, where nothing helps, but makes getting home, impossible.
It’s Not Just Iran Now
Safe Airspace also warned of risks for other nations, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE can also elevate if situations take a turn for the better or the worse from here.
And who would have believed it? American Airlines and United Airlines! Crazy, right?
Bottom Line?
In this region, airlines seem to be hedging their bets either way whether, they are political provocation, or real conflict anticipated from elevated tensions overhead. Until the borders are directed further by no longer allowing roundabout path ways for ground stops in this region of the globe, mid-air continued closers will continue to be business as usual.