Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[justinbrett]

MH17.

Unlikely, but has precedent.

With hostilities breaking out, and the military hardware left behind by the US on withdrawal from Afghanistan, it could present a risk.

You can never completely eliminate risk

 

[Coops1]

Haven't read back yet, have a look at the flight path of BT792 of 28 Feb, particularly the last bit where it travels between spots instantly. Some interference over the airwaves maybe?

 

[MELso]

Qantas waiver now in place: https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/agency-news/march-2026/airspace-closure.html

 

[ayebee]

Haven't read back yet, have a look at the flight path of BT792 of 28 Feb, particularly the last bit where it travels between spots instantly. Some interference over the airwaves maybe?

I believe it is "GPS Spoofing". I took a screen shot last night of EK315 on final to DXB. It was jumping back and forth as track shows.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You can never completely eliminate risk

Agree. But you can take reasonable steps to minimise it.

Flying over a known war zone, where you know at least one of the parties has access to former US anti aircraft missiles, is not minimising risk.

Nor is blindly following NOTAMS - which are the bare minimum, not the maximum.

Especially after MH17 - although I’d argue it applied well before then - the consequences of flying over a war zone in these circumstances are foreseeable.

 

[justinbrett]

Agree. But you can take reasonable steps to minimise it.

Flying over a known war zone, where you know at least one of the parties has access to former US anti aircraft missiles, is not minimising risk.

Nor is blindly following NOTAMS - which are the bare minimum, not the maximum.

Especially after MH17 - although I’d argue it applied well before then - the consequences of flying over a war zone in these circumstances are foreseeable.

I feel like the FAA (and major western airlines) know more about this than either of us.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I feel like the FAA (and major western airlines) know more about this than either of us.

That was exactly the same argument around MH17, which unfortunately proved wrong.

Any advice given by the FAA - or any other regulatory authority - is the minimum, at best.

 

[Aeryn]

A diversion over Russia is also highly unlikely

My unlikely comment was re your statement about being TSA'd and deported. There have been press beat up of this happening 3 times and one was a lady married to yank entering on a ESTA instead of a spousal visa so imo a lot less risky to risk a US landing then diversion into a war zone like Russia or the ME.

 

[justinbrett]

That was exactly the same argument around MH17, which unfortunately proved wrong.

Any advice given by the FAA - or any other regulatory authority - is the minimum, at best.

QF is one of the most risk averse airlines. If they’re still overflying Afghanistan I’m confident they know more about this than you.

SAMs capable of reaching airliners at cruise are tracked pretty closely by intel and were not left when the US withdrew. MH17 was fired by a nation that is known to have these weapons.

 

[markis10]

QF is one of the most risk averse airlines. If they’re still overflying Afghanistan I’m confident they know more about this than you.

SAMs capable of reaching airliners at cruise are tracked pretty closely by intel and were not left when the US withdrew. MH17 was fired by a nation that is known to have these weapons.

I would agree, as would others

 

[Quickstatus]

MstrQS flying out to LHR today on SQ.
Flights still operating....

 

[Berlin]

You’d get Homeland securitied and could be detained and deported, just for a social media post.

Or, much more likely, you would get a friendly greeting by a Homeland security officer who happily offers you an emergency visa waiver, followed by a tasty Texan BBQ while you wait for tomorrow’s replacement flight. And, best of all, the whole thing will be covered by your travel insurance too because the US aren’t a war zone.

Seriously- TDS much?

 

[Seat0B]

Thanks everyone for the kind support re Seat Son and DIL. All I can do is wait as patiently as I can until things are clearer. As you suggested @prozac, we have our fingers and toes crossed that this will be over very quickly and they will be able to get to their wedding.

And thanks @Pushka - I know you know first hand some of the challenges of adult kids living away so thanks for the support.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Or, much more likely, you would get a friendly greeting by a Homeland security officer who happily offers you an emergency visa waiver, followed by a tasty Texan BBQ while you wait for tomorrow’s replacement flight. And, best of all, the whole thing will be covered by your travel insurance too because the US aren’t a war zone.

Seriously- TDS much?

The point was being argued that having a western passport and landing in Russia could be problematic. I don’t necessarily see it that way, any more so than the same argument being made for landing in the US and getting deported over a social media post.

 

[Quickstatus]

Apparently 29 ME aircraft are stuck in AU at the moment?

 

[Brissy1]

My flat-earther wife is driving me crazy right now, insisting that because she can draw a straight line on google maps that Turkish Airlines IST-MNL normally flies directly over Iran. Can anyone help me out please? No, I don't want to divorce again. Flight Routes seem to indicate it flies over Armenia, Uzbekistan & China en route to MNL. Hmmm, maybe I should just leave it and agree with here

Buy her a world globe and a piece of string

 

[Berlin]

The point was being argued that having a western passport and landing in Russia could be problematic. I don’t necessarily see it that way, any more so than the same argument being made for landing in the US and getting deported over a social media post.

Ah- I get your point now, my bad! I would agree, neither would be a drama for most people.

Choice of BBQ or Vodka, most likely!

 

[Hunter4vr]

Meant to be flying to MLE via DOH in a couple weeks, followed by a trip to Oman with a few days in Dubai, long planned J award bookings but thankfully can cancel them with ease....

Patiently waiting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming week but might have to find alternative last minute arrangements getting to the Maldives.