Middle East flight paths

[scroggins]

I've always been a somewhat nervous flyer, and the recent incident in Iran has done little to quell my fears about flying in the Middle East. I live in Saudi Arabia, so flights to Europe typically go over Iran or Iraq. I know the FAA has forbidden flights over Iran and Iraq but as far as I know most local regional carriers (including Turkish) have not.

How concerned are people generally about flight paths from in/around Iran, Iraq and Syria?

Thanks!

[S.o.S.]

I think that you will find that all airlines rerouted immediately the USA started their activity. Airlines constantly monitor routes for unusual weather conditions, routine seasonal weather changes (monsoon), for volcanoes and unstable countries. Occasionally, a flight may be re-routed after departure if circumstances/weather change.

[scroggins]

Thanks, SoS. I guess the obvious solution is simply to stick with carriers that have announced their intention to avoid Iraqi/Iranian airspace (which I've opted to do for my upcoming trip).

I do wonder just how much cause for concern there is though.

[wiggy]

Originally Posted by scroggins

I've always been a somewhat nervous flyer, and the recent incident in Iran has done little to quell my fears about flying in the Middle East. I live in Saudi Arabia, so flights to Europe typically go over Iran or Iraq. I know the FAA has forbidden flights over Iran and Iraq but as far as I know most local regional carriers (including Turkish) have not.

How concerned are people generally about flight paths from in/around Iran, Iraq and Syria?!

Non-local carrier, based in north west Europe - our management are now concerned enough not to overfly on any of our routes..as far as Saudi is concerned as an example we now route both into and out of the likes of Riyadh via Egypt/Red Sea/ Ha'il, or close to it, rather than the typical round trip routing which was outbound via Egypt, back to via Iraq or western Iran - that was done to avoid the westerly jet stream that often sits over the southern Med/Northern Egypt..


S.o.S.

I think that you will find that all airlines rerouted immediately the USA started their activity.

If by "the USA starting their activity" you are referring to the drone strike which killed Qassem Soleimani I'm afraid that's not correct. Rightly or wrongly some/many airlines continued with their normal routings, overflying Iraq/Western Iran, right up until the Iranian missile strike on the two targets in Iraq.

[S.o.S.]

Thank you for the update wiggy. As this is not the first event of it's kind, one can only hope that smaller carriers will join the main stream carriers in looking to provide a better routing than a better profit.