Middle East tensions drive surge in flights over Afghanistan

International media reports indicate that flights over Afghanistan in the first half of August 2024 have increased approximately sevenfold compared to the same period in 2023.

According to Reuters, based on data from the FlightRadar24 website, which tracks passenger flight locations, there has been a significant rise in the number of flights over Afghanistan in the second week of August 2024.

Reuters attributes this sudden shift in flight paths to escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.

International airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines have canceled their flight routes over Iran and Israel due to previous decisions. These airlines now consider Afghanistan’s airspace to be safer as the risk of attacks on aircraft is much lower there.

Yan Petcic, a spokesperson for FlightRadar24, has stated, “As tensions have spread, calculations regarding which country’s airspace to use have changed. Airlines are seeking to minimize risk wherever possible, and given the current tensions between Iran and Israel, they view flying over Afghanistan as a safer option.”

The tensions in the Middle East have not only rendered the airspace over Iran, Israel, and Lebanon unsafe for international flights but have also made neutral countries, including Jordan, which lies between Iran and Israel, unsafe for international aviation.

The tensions between Iran and Israel reached a peak following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political leader, in Tehran. Since then, international efforts to prevent Iran from retaliatory attacks against Israel have been underway.

The dramatic increase in flights over Afghanistan reflects broader geopolitical shifts and heightened safety concerns in the region. As airlines navigate these challenges, the prioritization of safer air routes underscores the impact of geopolitical tensions on global aviation operations.

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