Gummersbach – Several airlines have suspended or altered flights across the Middle East after Iran threatened to retaliate the US air missile attack on the Gulf country’s nuclear bases last night. The escalating tensions sparked airspace closures and security concerns.
Major carriers, including Emirates, Lufthansa, and Qatar Airways, have canceled services to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel, with some suspensions extending through summer.
A Royal Air Maroc (RAM) flight was compelled to return to Morocco on Monday evening following Qatar’s sudden closure of its airspace, prompted by ongoing escalating tensions.
The aircraft, registered as CN-RGX, was operating a scheduled service from Casablanca to Doha when it was rerouted mid-flight due to the regional security alert.
The diversion occurred as Qatar faced Iranian missile strikes targeting the Al Udeid Air Base US military base, an action that violated Qatari sovereignty and led to the immediate shutdown of its airspace.
Morocco has expressed full solidarity with Qatar after the strike. In the same wave of retaliation, Iran also launched strikes on the Ain Al Asad Air base in Iraq.
A statement from Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Ministry issued tonight said that the attack targeted the sovereignty and airspace of the sister State of Qatar.
The ministry firmly asserted that Morocco backs Qatar in the face of “anything that may affect its security and the safety of its citizens.”
Saudi Arabia also joined a growing list of countries that have reacted in support of Qatar since Iran launched a missile attack on US military bases in the Gulf country, detailing that is “strongly condemns” the Iranian aggression. Egypt, Oman and Lebanon also followed suit condemning the Iranian attack.
US and European airlines, such as Delta and Air France, have also halted Tel Aviv flights, while others rerouted through alternative corridors.
With no immediate resolution in sight, further disruptions are expected in the coming days.
