Iran shut down most of its national airspace late Wednesday, disrupting air travel across the Middle East as geopolitical tensions with the United States intensified. Over 120 commercial flights were rerouted, affecting major carriers including Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines.
- Iran closed most of its airspace from 23:47 on January 14, 2026, for 8.5 hours
- Over 120 commercial flights were rerouted, including 37 long-haul services
- Qatar Airways reported a 23% average delay; Emirates saw a 17% rise in fuel use
- U.S. B-52 bombers deployed near Strait of Hormuz during the closure
- Rerouting primarily via Turkey, Iraq, and UAE, increasing flight durations
- IATA issued advisory urging carriers to monitor regional developments
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization announced the temporary closure of domestic airspace at 23:47 local time on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, citing 'national security concerns' amid heightened regional tensions. The move, effective for approximately 8.5 hours, impacted air traffic across the Persian Gulf and southwest Asia, with flight paths adjusted to avoid Iranian borders. The closure forced airlines operating in the region to implement alternative routing, primarily using routes through central Turkey, northern Iraq, and the UAE. According to air traffic monitoring data, over 120 commercial flights were rerouted during the period, including 37 long-haul international services. Qatar Airways reported a 23% average delay in its fleet, while Emirates recorded a 17% increase in fuel consumption due to extended flight durations. The disruption coincided with the U.S. Department of Defense’s announcement of enhanced military surveillance operations near the Strait of Hormuz, with two B-52 bombers deployed from Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. Iran’s state media responded with a statement warning of 'unpredictable consequences' if U.S. forces continued 'provocative actions' in the region. The airspace closure underscores the vulnerability of regional air corridors to geopolitical shifts. Airlines operating in the Middle East are now reassessing contingency plans, with several European and Asian carriers reviewing flight schedules for the coming week. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued a notice advising members to monitor developments closely, noting that repeated airspace closures could strain global air traffic management systems.