Flights diverted, cancelled or delayed due to closure of Iran airspace

Northwest 3 enroute over the pacific ocean, taken from another 747.
Photo credit: Getty Images

Airlines from around the world have followed the Federal Aviation Administration's lead by instating a no-fly zone over parts of the Middle East as a result of rising tensions between Iran and the United States.

Although the FAA was the first organisation to react to the situation, its authority only extends to airlines that are owned and operated out of the United States, and not many of those fly routes within the affected region.

But last Tuesday, airlines from around the world began instructing crews to draw up flight plans that fly around the area of Iran, Iraq and parts of the Persian Gulf.

Singapore Airlines told CNN its flights between Asia and Europe will now fly well clear of the region.

"All SIA flight routes are being diverted from the Iranian airspace," the airline said in an email.

Air France, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines and  EVA Air also announced they would be flying on altered flight paths late on Tuesday.

Flights diverted, cancelled or delayed due to closure of Iran airspace
Photo credit: FlightRadar24.com

For some flight crews, the implementation of the restrictions required urgent action.

British Airways flight 134 from Mumbai to Heathrow was in the air when the decision was made to avoid the airspace above the region.

The aircraft was put into a holding pattern as changes were made to its flightpath in order to avoid the Iranian airspace.

Flights diverted, cancelled or delayed due to closure of Iran airspace
Photo credit: FlightRadar24.com

It was then forced to divert to Athens to get more fuel before it continued to London.

Another British Airways flight, BA157 was also in the air at the time and can be seen swerving to avoid Iraqi airspace.

Qantas has also altered the flight path of its London to Perth direct services and the airline has warned passengers this will make the flight time slightly longer.

Air New Zealand doesn't operate any services that fly through the Middle East, so none of its flights are affected.