Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[RooFlyer]

Aus to/from DXB/AUH/DOH don't go over Iran, flights from those airports to other destinations should mostly be able to route around...

Yes, but some onward flights of the Gulf carriers ( QR at least) route over Iran.

I once had the pleasure of being on QR over Iran while Iran was happily firing missiles at Israel. All part of the experience…

 

[RooFlyer]

There may be quite a few targets if things get ugly. From the Oz on line:


Iran airspace not so much the problem although flying up the Gulf and over Iraq to Europe might be dicy.

Qatar well known; UAE not often talked about:

 

[Melburnian1]

As recorded in the 'Qantas Cancellations/Delays' thread, the Wednesday 14 January 2026 QF33 departure from Perth looked for a brief period near Kuwait as if it was going to turn back but shortly instead will make a fuel stop in Rome on its way to Paris.

From what I can see on its three most recent days, QF1 from SIN to LHR normally avoids Iranian airspace (at least for now).

 

[Saab34]

Back open again.

Let’s see what plays out over the coming weeks.

 

[AuSammy]

Smart traveller started sending out warnings to avoid Qatar, Jordan, Egypt etc due to conflict tensions, protests, sudden cancellations, and possible "falling debris"

 

[Archipelago]

As recorded in the 'Qantas Cancellations/Delays' thread, the Wednesday 14 January 2026 QF33 departure from Perth looked for a brief period near Kuwait as if it was going to turn back but shortly instead will make a fuel stop in Rome on its way to Paris.

From what I can see on its three most recent days, QF1 from SIN to LHR normally avoids Iranian airspace (at least for now).

QF33 on the move again at FCO

 

[kangarooflyer88]

What would happen if BA or HA had to shutdown their route network due to escalations in the conflict? Do they have any policies for rebooking partners on connecting itineraries through DXB/DOH?

 

[Berlin]

Yes, but some onward flights of the Gulf carriers ( QR at least) route over Iran.

Oh, EK loves doing this too. Most of their US routes, especially the East coast ones, tend to route right over Iran and then Russia. Remember a year or two ago, pretty much everyone avoided both countries but my nightly Emirates flight to Orlando would route right over it all.

 

[Saab34]

Something brewing again it seems. Standby…

 

[RooFlyer]

Something brewing again it seems. Standby…

Sure am. CHK-DOH-JED boarding on Sunday … Scheduled?

 

[jrfsp]

Turbulent skies ahead :/

 

[jrfsp]

Looks like QF taking the long route today, QF9 taking over 18 hours!! I’m guessing will be taking a payload hit.

MH just cancelled its DOH flights, with one turnaround mid air

 

[AuSammy]

no idea if this is fake or not

 

[MELso]

So it's on... again...

Israeli airspace closed to civilian traffic. No word yet about other diversions etc but I suspect they'll come soon.

 

[Quickstatus]

no idea if this is fake or not

Well FR24 shows this - same UTC Time

Similarly MH164 (same route) departing a few hrs later was cancelled and MH156 which departed a little earlier to JED (Jeddah) diverted to MAA (Chennai) for a refueling stop before returning to KUL - a total 13 hours KUL-KUL

The other issue with conflicts like this is that there will likely be GPS Jamming.

 

[RooFlyer]

Situation 6:20 pm AEDT on 28 th

 

[RooFlyer]

Many QR and EK flight flights to Europe and elsewhere circling after departure and returning to DOH and Emirati airports .

 

[Saab34]

Trump has released a statement via his Truth Social in the prior minutes. A major combat operation is underway.

 

[RooFlyer]

EK cleared for IST



But it looks as if most the QR birds are going home to roost.



But a few were able to change direction and escaped.

 

[Melburnian1]

So far, no news about Iran retaliating.