Iran and Iraq opened airspace after ceasefire, flights to West Asia started
Israel-Iran War: Iran and Iraq have opened their airspace after ceasefire. Flights to Gulf countries have started. Air India has also started its services.
After the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, countries in the Gulf region, especially Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Iraq, and Kuwait, have reopened their airspace. As a result, many airlines, including Air India and Air India Express, have resumed flights to West Asia. Following increasing tensions in West Asia—particularly after Iran fired six missiles at the US Al-Udeid military base in Qatar on June 23—these countries had temporarily closed their airspace, causing many flights, including those operated by Indian airlines, to be canceled or diverted.
After the ceasefire took effect, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) lifted restrictions on public places, schools, and offices. This move has significantly contributed to restoring normalcy in the region. Tata Group-owned Air India and Air India Express resumed their flights to West Asia starting Tuesday.
Air India has begun operating services between Delhi and Dubai, while Air India Express now offers flights from Delhi to Muscat. The airline stated that it operates around 900 flights weekly to 13 cities in West Asia, including major UAE cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, and Ras Al Khaimah. These flights are scheduled to be fully restored by June 25.
Air India also announced that flights to and from Europe, the US East Coast, and Canada—previously canceled—are gradually being restored. Operations are expected to return to normal as airspace reopens across the region.
The Gulf countries had closed their airspace following a missile attack on a US military base in Qatar on June 23, in retaliation for Iran’s attacks on its nuclear facilities. This shutdown brought aviation services to a halt. Now, with the ceasefire in place and airspace reopening, air traffic in the region is quickly returning to normal.
