Originally Posted by
eagle21
Meaning: You are flying where no one else is, and there is nothing that makes it safe. Sometimes the best thing is not use that airspace. Any airline not supporting a captain on this is unsuitable for many. Not to mention the reduced legal protections and lack of union representation, amongst others. The money may be better but what is the price for this?
worth a read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air_Flight_655
Open Flightradar right now, many reputable airlines such as EK, QR, EY, and FZ are flying over Iran right now. They have professional security protocols and departments; if they deem the airspace unsafe, they would not fly over it, and risk their brands, which they spent billions of dollars and decades of time building up. They are also a local player; they have people on the ground and in governing agencies feeding them live intel much quicker than by the time you get your headline from Sky News.
Just because BA or Lufthansa are not flying over Iran right now (because they are banned as of 2024, not due to the safety situation) doesn't mean other airlines have to follow their lead when they have a different operating standard.
If flying over this airspace is such an issue for you, just go fly for BA. They are currently hiring, and you won't have to worry about flying over Iran. Seriously, what has this come to? I don't want to fly for an airline because I have to cross this FIR and don't get to fly to the Maldives every week.
PS, the link you sent was to an aircraft that was shot down 30 years ago by the US Navy. If we avoid all airspace where the US military is present around the world, we wouldn't be flying much at all. (in particular, Greenland).