Major Delays Expected As Airlines Avoid Iraqi and Iranian Airspace

The two major air routes through the Middle East are effectively closed after Iran launched a massive missile strike on Israel.

Instead of flying over Iraq airlines are re-routing flights over Saudi and Egyptian airspace which may add between one and two hours to the flight depending on destination.

The other factor is congestion for air traffic control as more and more air corridors are closed.

Flightradar24.com is showing virtually no aircraft in Iraqi, or Syrian airspace while airspace west of Tehran is also virtually empty with only Iran Air flights operating.

The situation will remain until Israel’s intentions and clear.

In a statement Qantas advised that its Perth to London and Perth to Paris nonstop flights would not be impacted greatly as the airline would use a route over Saudia Arabia.

Here are two shots of the air traffic;

The first below shows the vacant airpace.

 The second shows the crowded air corridors over Saudia Arabia and Egypt.