Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE: Gulf shuts airspace one by one as tensions rise
Several Gulf nations have closed their airspace as tensions rise following an attack by Iran on the Al Udeid US military base in Doha. The moves by Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates mark a significant shift in regional air traffic and security policies.
Kuwait announced on Monday it has closed its airspace until further notice due to rising tensions in the region. The move came after a series of airspace closures across the Gulf as Iran launched an attack on the Al Udeid US military base in Doha.
Also Read: Air India suspends all flights operating over Middle East after Iranian strikes on Qatar, Iraq
Kuwait Airways announced it suspended all flights departing from the country due to the regional situation. The decision came soon after Bahrain announced a temporary airspace closure as a precaution, following the attack on the US base.
Bahrain, home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, said its airspace closure was necessary for security reasons. The area of responsibility for the Fifth Fleet includes the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Qatar also shut down its airspace temporarily, citing rising tensions and security concerns. The United Arab Emirates followed suit, closing its airspace based on flight path and air traffic control information, as reported by FlightRadar. "The United Arab Emirates is closely monitoring the ongoing regional developments and is continuously assessing the situation," a government spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.
The statement by the spokesperson was in response to a Reuters question over any closure of airspace in the UAE after Qatar shut down its airspace amid the ongoing regional crisis.
Also Read: Multiple airlines cancel, divert flights across the Middle East region following Iran's attack on US bases
Iran announced late Monday night that it had launched an attack on the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha. The statement, broadcast on state television, called the action "a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America's aggression." The attack came shortly after Qatar announced its airspace closure.
International Airlines Redraw Flightpaths
Several global airlines have cancelled or rerouted flights across the Persian Gulf after US military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The strikes have caused widespread disruption in air travel across the Middle East.
Flight data from FlightRadar24 showed that airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel was largely empty as airlines opted for alternate routes. The global air safety group Safe Airspace warned that missile and drone activity posed serious threats to commercial flights, especially those operated by American carriers.
Rising tensions are also affecting jet fuel prices, with airlines preparing for potential increases due to the unstable situation.
Kuwait announced on Monday it has closed its airspace until further notice due to rising tensions in the region. The move came after a series of airspace closures across the Gulf as Iran launched an attack on the Al Udeid US military base in Doha.
Also Read: Air India suspends all flights operating over Middle East after Iranian strikes on Qatar, Iraq
Kuwait Airways announced it suspended all flights departing from the country due to the regional situation. The decision came soon after Bahrain announced a temporary airspace closure as a precaution, following the attack on the US base.
Bahrain, home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, said its airspace closure was necessary for security reasons. The area of responsibility for the Fifth Fleet includes the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Qatar also shut down its airspace temporarily, citing rising tensions and security concerns. The United Arab Emirates followed suit, closing its airspace based on flight path and air traffic control information, as reported by FlightRadar. "The United Arab Emirates is closely monitoring the ongoing regional developments and is continuously assessing the situation," a government spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.
The statement by the spokesperson was in response to a Reuters question over any closure of airspace in the UAE after Qatar shut down its airspace amid the ongoing regional crisis.
Also Read: Multiple airlines cancel, divert flights across the Middle East region following Iran's attack on US bases
Iran announced late Monday night that it had launched an attack on the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha. The statement, broadcast on state television, called the action "a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America's aggression." The attack came shortly after Qatar announced its airspace closure.
International Airlines Redraw Flightpaths
Several global airlines have cancelled or rerouted flights across the Persian Gulf after US military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The strikes have caused widespread disruption in air travel across the Middle East.
Flight data from FlightRadar24 showed that airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel was largely empty as airlines opted for alternate routes. The global air safety group Safe Airspace warned that missile and drone activity posed serious threats to commercial flights, especially those operated by American carriers.
Rising tensions are also affecting jet fuel prices, with airlines preparing for potential increases due to the unstable situation.
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