Israel Shuts Down Airspace as Preparation for Defense Against Iran's Drone Attack

By Madz Dizon

Apr 13 2024, 23:37 PM EDT

Israel Shuts Down Airspace as Preparation for Defense Against Iran's Drone Attack — This picture taken from Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip shows a Royal Jordanian Air Force C-130 Hercules turboprop military transport aircraft dropping humanitarian aid chutes during a flyover above the besieged Palestinian territory on March 26, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas. JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Flights were affected on Saturday due to airspace closures in the Middle East, caused by the launch of drones towards Israel by Iran.

United Airlines, which recently resumed service to Tel Aviv, had to cancel its Newark to Tel Aviv flight on Saturday due to Israel closing its airspace.

Israel Closes Airspace Amid Iran's Drone Attack

According to reports from Jordanian state-owned media news outlet Al Mamlaka, both Jordan and Iraq have closed their airspace.

Explosions and warning sirens reverberated throughout Israel in the early hours of Sunday as a series of drones and ballistic missiles were unleashed by Iran, according to CBC.

This retaliatory onslaught has escalated tensions in the Middle East, bringing the region dangerously close to a full-scale conflict.

According to Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the spokesperson for the Israeli military, a significant number of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles were launched by Iran.

However, it is worth noting that the majority of these were successfully intercepted before reaching Israel's borders.

Hagari said a significant number of cruise missiles were intercepted by warplanes, even beyond the borders of Israeli airspace.

Several airlines have been adjusting their routes and canceling flights due to the recent increase in tensions between Israel and Iran. Dozens of drones and missiles have been launched by Iran at Israel.

The highly anticipated attack is viewed as a response to an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Syria last week.

Furthermore, there have been diversions and cancellations of flights to Tel Aviv, as well as significant restrictions on airspace over Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan.

US Previously Warned About Iran's Potential Attack on Israel

Earlier in the week, US ntelligence agencies shared information about a potential attack on Israel from Iran.

Following the release of intelligence reports, Lufthansa decided to temporarily halt flights to Tehran. On Friday, Qantas announced that it will be avoiding Middle East airspace.

The potential for the enactment of similar restrictions over Middle East airspace remains uncertain as tensions continue to escalate. According to Skift, the FAA confirmed that there are currently no plans to change any restrictions.

Following the commencement of the Israel-Gaza war in early October 2023, numerous international carriers suspended their flights to Tel Aviv. Several airlines, such as Delta Air Lines, easyJet, and British Airways, have recently resumed services to the country.