Flight cancellations & flight disruptions
As of June 19, 2025, escalating geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran have severely disrupted air travel across the Middle East, resulting in widespread flight cancellations, delays, and airspace closures. As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, and Ryanair are grappling with significant flight cancellations and disruptions across key airports, including Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Hamad International Airport.
The ongoing geopolitical instability has forced multiple airlines to suspend or reroute flights, leading to widespread delays, cancellations, and uncertainty for travelers. These disruptions are expected to intensify, with continued airspace restrictions, further impacting travel plans for those flying in and out of the Middle East.
The conflict, which intensified following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military targets, has prompted several countries to close their airspace and suspend flight operations. This article provides an overview of the current situation, its impact on airlines, and the challenges faced by travelers.
Airspace Closures
In response to the escalating conflict, multiple countries in the Middle East have closed their airspace to civil aviation. Notably, Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan have implemented airspace restrictions, leading to significant disruptions in flight operations. Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport has been closed, and Iranian airports such as Imam Khomeini International Airport have suspended flights. Additionally, Iraq and Jordan have closed their airspace, further complicating air travel in the region.
These awards are granted based on the direct feedback of millions of international passengers, making them a true benchmark of passenger satisfaction.
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Turkish Airlines is the Best Airline in Europe
For the 10th time
Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries than any other, has once again asserted its leadership in the aviation industry, earning the prestigious Best Airline in Europe award at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards for the tenth time. The ceremony, widely regarded as the Oscars of the Aviation Industry, was held at the historic Air and Space Museum in Paris on 17 June.
Also chosen as the Best Airline in Southern Europe, Türkiye’s national flag carrier was recognized with several other prestigious awards. Turkish Airlines received the World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering, Best Business Class in Europe, Best Business Class in Southern Europe and Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Europe awards, reflecting its superior service in premium cabins.
The carrier also earned the Best Economy Class in Europe and Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Europe titles, underlining its dedication to providing a high-quality travel experience across all service classes. These accolades, totalling eight once again reaffirm Turkish Airlines’ strong position in the global aviation sector and its leadership in the region.
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India’s aviation sector under intensified pressure
India’s leading airlines, including IndiGo and SpiceJet, are navigating a volatile market landscape as surging oil prices and deepening tensions between Iran and Israel cast a shadow over global aviation stability.
With crude oil prices edging toward the one-hundred-dollar mark amid fears of supply disruptions through the vital Strait of Hormuz, operational costs for carriers are set to rise sharply.
While current flight schedules remain intact, analysts warn that sustained geopolitical unrest and elevated fuel prices could erode profit margins, disrupt expansion plans, and heighten investor caution, putting India’s aviation sector under intensified pressure.
Middle East Tensions and Rising Oil Price Concerns
Flight Schedules Remain Stable for Now, But Brokerages Warn of Volatility as Iran-Israel Conflict Rattles Oil Markets.
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Travel Meet Asia 2025 in Jakarta
Indonesia is stepping firmly into the global tourism spotlight as it hosts the highly anticipated return of Travel Meet Asia 2025 in Jakarta, a move that underscores its growing ambitions to become a regional and international leader in travel and tourism.
The Travel Meet Asia brings forth opportunities for buyers and sellers to unlock key potentials in specific source markets or regions. The upcoming trade show will be held in Swissotel Jakarta PIK Avenue, Jakarta, Indonesia, from 25 – 26 June 2025. It will welcome local and international buyers from the Leisure, MICE and Corporate sectors. Join us for two full days of business meetings with key buyers/partners and outstanding conferences that gather leading brands in the industry!
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Sole air crash survivor lays brother to rest
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed seconds after taking off on Thursday from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. At least 270 people were killed, most of them passengers.
The British man who was the sole survivor of last week’s Air India plane crash has helped lay his brother to rest at a funeral in western India.
Vishwashkumar Ramesh’s brother Ajay was also on the ill-fated flight but did not survive the tragedy.
A visibly upset Ramesh was one of the pall bearers who carried his brother’s coffin to the crematorium in the town of Diu, his arm and face still covered in white bandages. He’s spent most of the past five days in hospital.
