EgyptAir, MEA Suspend Multiple Middle East Flights Amid Airspace Closures, Regional Escalation

The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has severely disrupted air travel across the Middle East, leading to widespread flight cancellations and reroutings. Key regional airlines such as Middle East Airlines and EgyptAir have suspended flights to major cities including Beirut, Amman, Baghdad, and Erbil, citing passenger safety amid intensified hostilities and missile attacks. India's Air India is forced to take longer, circuitous routes via Egypt due to airspace closures by Pakistan, Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan, increasing travel times and operational costs. Air India Express has also reduced flight frequency between Mangaluru and Dubai, highlighting how these disruptions impact both business and leisure travelers and raise airfares due to limited availability. The situation has prompted additional operational challenges, including stringent safety tests and travel advisories for tourists in nearby regions like Egypt. Overall, the volatile geopolitical environment is causing significant travel chaos and forcing airlines to adapt rapidly to maintain connectivity while prioritizing safety.