Each time tensions flare in the Middle East, airspace closures thrust airlines, travel agencies and passengers into a frantic race against time. Flights are rerouted, layovers stretch and last-minute decisions become the norm… A behind-the-scenes look at a sky turned unpredictable, where everyone struggles to navigate the chaos.
Following last Friday’s military escalation between Iran and Israel, travelers once again faced the harsh realities of a tense sky. Airspace was closed over several countries, flights were canceled or rerouted, and hundreds of passengers were left stranded at airports.
But what exactly happens when airspace is shut down? And how does it impact the key players – passengers, travel agencies and airlines alike?
A Decision Rooted in Politics and Security
The decision to close airspace is typically made by the national civil aviation authority of the country involved. It is never taken lightly and always involves close coordination with military forces, intelligence agencies and government officials.
In the context of regional conflicts – such as the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel – the assessment focuses on risks posed by airstrikes, missiles or drones. Once the decision is finalized, it is communicated to airlines through NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), official aviation alerts that inform pilots of restrictions or hazards within the affected airspace.
Upon inquiry by This is Beirut, Lebanon’s General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) declined to comment on the procedures currently governing the opening or closure of Lebanese airspace.
MEA: Balancing Caution and Adaptation
Lebanese airline Middle East Airlines (MEA) manages this instability through a permanent crisis unit. In an interview with This is Beirut, Captain Mohammad Aziz, the senior advisor to MEA’s president and an expert in risk management and airport security, emphasized the company’s close cooperation with the DGAC: “We receive information from the DGAC, with whom we maintain constant coordination. But even when flight authorization is granted, if our crisis unit assesses the risk level to be too high, we choose not to operate.”
On Friday evening, as the full extent of the escalation between Iran and Israel remained unclear, “we had no precise information on the missiles’ altitude or trajectory,” Captain Aziz explained. Erring on the side of caution, the DGAC decided to suspend all flights until the following morning. This decision had immediate consequences: a flight from Paris was diverted to Istanbul, another from Doha was redirected to Cairo, while Larnaca airport was already operating at full capacity.
To better manage such unexpected situations, MEA now takes additional logistical precautions. Planes are loaded with extra fuel to accommodate possible detours. “It costs more and adds weight to the aircraft, but it increases our safety margin. Greater flexibility in decision-making means enhanced operational safety,” Aziz explained.
The situation in the region has rendered standard planning nearly impossible. Jordanian airspace, for example, opens and closes intermittently, while Syrian and Iraqi airspace remain closed. “A Beirut-Amman flight, normally about an hour, can now take up to two. The route to Dubai has increased from three to four hours. Under these conditions, maintaining normal operations is impossible – cancellations and last-minute changes have become routine,” he added.
With ongoing schedule disruptions, MEA adjusts its operations daily. To accommodate passengers stranded by cancellations, the airline added extra flights this past weekend to Istanbul, Cairo and Milan. Meanwhile, other routes remain suspended – flights to Baghdad, Erbil and Najaf were canceled on Tuesday, June 17, due to the prolonged closure of Iraqi airspace. This constant schedule shifting highlights the unstable conditions the airline must navigate.
Passenger Support: A Shifting Landscape
Managing passengers in this fluid situation depends on several factors.
“If the plane has already taken off, we take care of the passengers onboard. If it’s still on the ground, passengers remain at the airport. For delays lasting a few hours, like last Friday, travelers wait in the VIP lounge. If the flight is postponed until the following day, we cover overnight accommodation,” Aziz revealed, adding, “There’s no set rule – each case is handled individually.”
Air France, meanwhile, has suspended its flights to and from Beirut through June 17 inclusive. In a statement to This is Beirut, the airline said it is “closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East in real time” and emphasized that “the safety of its passengers and crews remains its top priority.” Commercial measures have been implemented, allowing affected travelers to postpone or cancel their trips free of charge until June 22.
As for travel agencies, their teams are scrambling to keep up amid the chaos. The director of a Lebanese agency shared that they receive airline schedule changes “by the minute” and must constantly juggle requests from clients, some of whom are stranded abroad. He recalled passengers booking online tickets with a layover in Istanbul, only to be left stranded after their connecting flight was canceled. “They called us, and we managed to secure seats on MEA flights – the only ones still flying routes to Lebanon,” he said.
When waits stretch beyond eight or nine hours, agencies request that airlines provide accommodations for travelers. “For the charter flights we handle, we sometimes end up covering the overnight stay ourselves,” the agency director added. In cases of extended delays, he tries to get passengers out of the airport to offer lodging, a guide or other essential services. “It depends on the situation, but we do everything possible to minimize the impact on the traveler,” he assured.
Despite widespread uncertainty, some routes remain relatively stable: flights to Europe generally face no major issues. “Flights heading eastward, however, are more complicated,” the manager noted, advising clients to arrive at the airport at least four hours before departure and to always set aside extra funds to cover unexpected expenses.
Insurance in Risky Times
Insurance companies have been slow to provide a clear stance on travel insurance. “Normally, they cover delays, but this situation falls under force majeure. We have yet to receive any response from the insurers,” the agency director said.
Regarding specialized aviation insurers, Aziz noted that they exercise some leniency thanks to MEA’s solid reputation for reliability built during past conflicts. “We still have some flexibility with insurers, who trust our risk management approach,” he noted, emphasizing that the company remains on constant alert in such situations.
As geopolitical tensions keep Middle Eastern skies in flux, airlines, agencies and passengers are forced to navigate the unseen and unpredictable. The cost of adapting continues to rise – especially for travelers’ wallets.
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