Arabic version: تواجه شركات الطيران تحديات مع إغلاق أذربيجان لمجالها الجوي

The closure of airspace over the southern half of Azerbaijan is intensifying disruptions for airlines affected by the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region. Flight traffic, which typically flows through this area, is now severely restricted, forcing airlines to navigate through a limited corridor in the northern part of the country.

According to BBC News, aviation expert John Strickland noted that airlines have a “very tight range of options” in light of the current situation. The closure comes as Western airlines have already been avoiding Russian airspace since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and now they are steering clear of Iranian and Iraqi airspace as well.

Real-time data from Flightradar24 indicates significant congestion in a narrow strip, approximately 100 kilometers wide, across northern Azerbaijan. Strickland warned that this could lead to delays and longer flight routes, recalling similar issues faced by airlines in the aftermath of the Ukraine conflict.

As tensions in the Gulf have escalated, many airlines began adjusting their routes weeks ago. This week, the situation worsened, prompting further rerouting to avoid conflict zones. Strickland highlighted potential congestion during peak travel times, particularly for flights between Europe and Asia.

While most airlines have not yet added extra stops to accommodate the longer routes, Qantas has implemented a refueling stop in Singapore on its non-stop flight from Perth to London. Flights to India are also expected to take longer as they navigate around the Gulf area.