14-4-2024 (SINGAPORE) Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced on Sunday that it has ceased using Iranian airspace as a precautionary measure in light of the evolving situation in the Middle East. The move comes amidst escalating tensions in the region, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas risks spiraling into a larger-scale confrontation. According to the Israeli military, Iran has launched over 200 drones and missiles at Israel since Saturday.
The recent series of events unfolded after Iran vowed retaliation for an alleged Israeli strike on April 1, which resulted in the destruction of an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria and claimed the lives of seven members of the elite Revolutionary Guards, including two generals.
Responding to queries from Channel NewsAsia (CNA), Singapore Airlines stated, “With effect from 1300hrs (Singapore time) on April 13, 2024, all Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights have ceased overflying Iranian airspace and have adopted alternative flight paths as a precautionary measure. We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, and we will adjust our flight paths as necessary.”
SIA’s decision mirrors that of other airlines, including German carrier Lufthansa and its subsidiary Austrian Airlines. Lufthansa announced on Friday that its planes would no longer utilize Iranian airspace, extending the suspension of flights to and from Iran’s capital.
“Lufthansa is suspending its flights to and from Tehran up to and including Thursday, April 18, due to the current situation,” stated a spokesperson for the company. “The airline is also no longer using Iranian airspace.”
Flights to Tehran have been suspended since April 6, although Lufthansa did not explicitly mention the reasons behind the suspension. Austrian Airlines, on the other hand, cited “the current situation in the Middle East” as the basis for their decision.
“Austrian Airlines prioritizes the safety of its passengers and crews above all else. We are continuously evaluating the situation in the Middle East and maintain close contact with the authorities,” the airline stated.
In response to the mounting tensions, Australian carrier Qantas announced on Saturday that it will redirect its long-haul flights between Perth and London to avoid Iranian airspace.
Meanwhile, both Israel and neighboring Jordan declared the closure of their airspace on Saturday night. Jordan, situated between Iraq and Israel, took the precautionary step due to the escalating situation in the region.
Since the April 1 strike in Syria, Iran has repeatedly threatened reprisals, holding arch-foe Israel responsible for the attack. In recent months, Israel has escalated its strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria, coinciding with the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip that began last October.
