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The global aviation industry remains severely disrupted following Iran’s retaliatory attack last Saturday which saw over 300 missiles and drones launched at Israel, Reuters reports. Closures of airspaces limited air traffic between Asia and Europe to two viable alternative routes through Turkey or Egypt, leading to a dozen airlines canceling or diverting flights over the past two days. This was the biggest single disruption to air travel since the 2001 World Trade Centre attack, OPSGROUP founder Mark Zee told the newswire, and disruptions will likely continue until later this week.
A quick recap: Iran’s attack came in response to an Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus on 1 April which claimed the lives of seven officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Israel and the US have intercepted 99% of the missiles and drones, with only slight damage to an air base in Nevatim, AP reports, citing US and Israeli military sources. Iran had reportedly informed neighboring states of its intention to attack Israel 72 hours prior to the operation, Mehr reports, citing statements by Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Major disruptions ensued: Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq temporarily closed their airspace during the Iranian attack, while Iran and Israel also imposed temporary restrictions to airline’s overflying their territory, Bloomberg reports. Israel, Lebanon, and Iraq reopened access to their airspace later in the day and Jordan also restored flights. Meanwhile, flight cancellations at Tehran Mehrabad International Airport were extended to earlier this morning.
Things appear to be back on track: Major MENA airlines including Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways said they would be resuming operations in the region yesterday after canceling or rerouting some flights, Reuters reports. EgyptAir also said it would resume flights to Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon, after suspending the routes yesterday.
Can the region breathe a sigh of relief? “The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” Iran’s permanent mission to the UN said on X. Israel is as yet undecided on whether it will choose to retaliate, with a potential response slated for discussion at a war cabinet meeting, the Guardian reported, citing Israeli officials. The United States does not intend to participate in any counter-offensive against Iran, according to US officials.
ON A RELATED NOTE-Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seized an Israel-linked container vessel, dubbed MSC Aries, near the Strait of Hormuz, The Financial Times reported on Saturday. The vessel had a crew of 25 aboard and was operating a service from the UAE’s Khalifa Port to Nhava Sheva in India. Iranian special forces seized the vessel after being transported aboard via helicopter. The US and the UK were quick to condemn the seizure, and called for the immediate release of the vessel and its crew.
