The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created major challenges for pilots operating flights over the airspace of Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Iran, the Flight Operations Group has warned. Passenger aviation in the Middle East is now safer than ever, the agency said. But the Ops Group, an international organization of pilots and aviation workers, says, 'There is no route that is completely risk-free.'
The Ops Group has published an article on its blog titled 'Dodging danger: The three routes through the Middle East', British media outlet Independent reported. Writer Chris Schiff said, 'Now the only question is “Is this route safe?” “—not that, but how much risk they themselves (pilots and aircrews) are prepared to take, is the issue.”
As the article notes, the major airlines currently use three routes—south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, central via Turkey and eastern Iraq, and north via the Caucasus, Caspian Sea, and Turkmenistan. All routes are on the ops group's vulnerability list. Although the agency has not included these areas in the 'do not fly' list, it said that each route has certain restrictions.
Southern airspace of the Middle East
Ops Group advised carriers flying the route to 'avoid the risk of a sudden conflict between Israel and Iran'. Ops Group also said that there are safe alternative airport facilities for flights operating on this route.
However, the group warned, there is a risk that Houthi rebels in western Yemen, located along this route, could launch missiles at Israel. “This poses three types of risks to aviation—direct missile hits (very low probability), downed aircraft debris, and misidentification,” the blog says. That is, the planes operating on this route may be subjected to missile attacks launched by the Houthis.
Another problem with this route is overuse. As a result, the air traffic control system in the region is under pressure. An airline flight crew said they were unable to communicate with air traffic controllers all the way from Egypt's northern coast to the Red Sea.
Central skyway
Ops Group's blog says, 'The most important question regarding this route is whether it is safe to go through Iraqi airspace? In our opinion, yes, but with some caution one should go with this route.'
The blog also said, 'Major GPS signal disruption may occur in some areas, including northern Iraq. Once it almost flew a plane into Iranian airspace without permission.' In addition, there is a risk of disruption to Turkish airspace and GPS signals, especially near the Iran-Iraq border.
Northern skies
This route is the most used for flights between Asia and Europe. It passes through the northern part of Turkey or the southern part of the Black Sea through Georgia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan.
This route is safe for flights to East Asia (eg Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo). However, many flights bound for South Asia, especially India, cross Afghanistan's airspace. Since the Taliban came to power in 2021, the country's airspace has been unprotected.
Every day, countless flights fly through Afghanistan's skies. But according to the ops group, the risk of an emergency landing in Afghanistan remains in the event of engine failure, fuel exhaustion or deceleration. And in that case, the necessary facilities and safety should be kept in mind.
