Flight paths squeezed as Iran conflict closes more airspace

The closure of airspace over the southern half of Azerbaijan is putting additional pressure on airlines scrambling to respond to disruption caused by the conflict in the Gulf. Flight traffic had already been severely disrupted in a region which in normal times acts as a significant hub for the global airline industry. But a drone attack on the small central Asian country has squeezed many flights into a narrow corridor across the north of the country. Aviation expert John Strickland said there was now a "very tight range of options for airlines" trying to navigate the current situation. Western airlines have had to avoid Russian airspace, including Siberia, since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Now all flights are also steering clear of Iran and Iraq airspace, seeking alternative routes to the north or south. Flightradar24 data maps show real-time congestion in an approximately 100km wide strip across the north of Azerbaijan, a country roughly the size of Portugal. Gulf airlines have begun to operate more flights out of the UAE and Oman, helping to evacuate stranded travellers, but there are no flights out of Qatar and capacity remains well below normal levels, said Opsgroup, whic