2-8-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a move reflecting heightened concerns over regional instability, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its budget subsidiary Scoot have ceased utilising Iranian airspace for their flights as of 2 August at 1:30 am, according to an official statement from an SIA spokesperson.
This decision comes in the wake of escalating tensions in the Middle East, triggered by the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on 31 July. The incident has sent shockwaves through the region, prompting airlines to reassess their flight paths.
The SIA spokesperson confirmed that both carriers have swiftly implemented alternative routes for affected flights. “We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and will adjust our flight paths as necessary,” the representative stated. Despite the rerouting, no flights have been cancelled, although some may experience slightly extended journey times.
Emphasising their commitment to passenger welfare, the spokesperson added, “The safety of our customers and staff remains our utmost priority. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to our valued customers.”
The rerouting affects a significant number of SIA flights connecting Singapore with 14 major European and American destinations, including Amsterdam, London, New York, and Paris. Scoot’s flights between Singapore and Athens are also impacted.
This is not the first time the airlines have adjusted their routes due to regional tensions. Similar measures were taken in April when Iran launched its first direct attack on Israeli territory. However, both carriers had resumed flights over Iran on 27 June, only to suspend them again in light of recent events.
The decision aligns with advice from OpsGroup, an organisation sharing flight risk information, which recommended avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace for traffic between Asia and Europe. This advisory came amidst reports of potential retaliatory actions against Israel being discussed by Iranian officials and their regional allies.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 confirmed the change, showing SIA flight SQ392 from Singapore to Istanbul bypassing Iranian airspace on 2 August, instead traversing Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. This contrasts with the previous day’s route, which flew directly over Iran.
It’s worth noting that not all airlines have followed suit. As of 2 August, carriers such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, and FlyDubai continued to utilise Iranian airspace.
The aviation industry has seen a flurry of route adjustments and suspensions in recent days. Air India, Lufthansa Group, United Airlines, Delta Air, and Italy’s ITA Airways have all suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Israel, over the past 48 hours.
This cautious approach by airlines is reminiscent of previous instances where geopolitical events have necessitated flight path alterations. In 2022, SIA suspended all flights between Singapore and Moscow due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Similarly, in 2016, the airline ceased all flights over Ukraine following the tragic crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in the country’s eastern region.
