There is the largest disruption to air travel since 9/11 as a result of hostilities between Iran and Israel

Airlines operating routes between Europe and Asia are experiencing even more disruptions due to the possibility of a major round of hostilities between Iran and Israel, which comes at a time when the industry is already suffering from the effects of the Gaza conflict and the war in Ukraine, according to Reuters. Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones against Israel over the weekend. The assault seems to have had little effect, even though most of the lethal weapons were intercepted, but it did seriously disrupt the aviation sector.

Many airlines, including Qantas, Lufthansa, and Air India, have announced the cancellation or rerouting of flights passing over the area throughout the last two days. According to Mark Zed, the founder of OPSGROUP, a worldwide agency that keeps an eye on airports and airspace, this is the worst interruption to air traffic since the World Trade Centre terror attack on September 11, 2001, he told Reuters. Zed said that these interruptions are probably going to continue for a few more days.

Airlines flying between Europe and Asia utilise the airspace over Iran, according to Zed. If an airline wants to reroute, it has two options: via Turkey or via Egypt and Saudi Arabia. After suspending its airspace on Saturday, Israel has officially restored it. Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq have all started operating again within their own borders.

Furthermore, several West Asian carriers that had previously cancelled or rerouted flights have now resumed operations in the area, including Qatar Airways.

It is also unclear how the most recent upheaval will impact the demand for passengers throughout the globe, which has so far remained robust despite many international crises. Aviation expert Brendan Sobie told Reuters that if the current problems worsened, people would start to worry about flying.