Iran closed its airspace, some flights were turned back

Iran temporarily closed its airspace for nearly five hours on Wednesday, causing flight cancellations, diversions, and delays. The measure came amid growing tensions between the US and Iran.

The closure followed Tehran's warning to its neighbors that it would attack US bases in the event of an American attack. At the same time, the US is withdrawing some of its personnel from military bases in the Middle East.

Airlines, including flydubai and Turkish Airlines, have canceled several flights to Iran. Air India and IndiGo have adjusted their routes, causing delays. An Aeroflot flight bound for Tehran returned to Moscow.

Germany has issued a warning for flights over Iran, and Lufthansa and ITA Airways have changed their flight plans, including bypassing Iran and Iraq and canceling night flights to Tel Aviv.

The Safe Airspace website warned of an increased risk of misidentification of civilian aircraft, similar to the shooting down of a Ukrainian plane by the Iranian military in 2020, which killed 176 people.

(reuters, max)