Overview

• On June 23, Iran retaliated for US strikes on its nuclear sites by firing missiles at Qatar’s Al Udeid airbase, leading Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait to shut their airspace temporarily.
• Carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, Emirates, Qatar Airways and British Airways have canceled or diverted flights along key Europe-Asia corridors, severing major routes through Dubai and Doha.
• Partial reopenings in Gulf skies have begun, but airlines report that unpredictable closures and security concerns continue to drive longer, more expensive detours.
• Airspace restrictions and detours have triggered hundreds of cancellations and diversions, with operators rerouting via the Caspian Sea or south over Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
• The US State Department’s worldwide caution advisory and airlines’ warnings underscore financial and political uncertainty despite President Trump’s announced ceasefire.