Follow our live coverage here.
SINGAPORE – Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its low-cost arm Scoot had stopped flying over Iranian air space since August 2024, SIA said in response to measures being taken following Israel’s strikes on targets in Iran.
A spokesperson for SIA told The Straits Times that all SIA and Scoot flights have used alternative flight paths since Aug 2, 2024.
A spokesperson for the SIA Group said its top priority is the safety of customers and its employees.
“We will continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East closely and will adjust our flight paths as needed,” the spokesperson added.
Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran on June 13, in a major escalation of tensions in the region.
The strikes targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders. Israel said it was the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
In retaliation, Iran launched about 100 drones towards Israeli territory. It warned that it has a “legal and legitimate right” to respond to the attacks on multiple cities and nuclear facilities.
SIA Group said it regularly reviews the flight paths taken by aircraft based on multiple factors.
“These include weather conditions, safety and security considerations, advisories from international and regional bodies, insights from independent external security consultants, and regulatory restrictions,” said the spokesperson.
Data from global flight tracking service Flightradar24 showed that airlines cleared out of the airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq after Israel’s first attacks on Iran early on June 13.
Israeli flag carrier El Al said it had suspended flights to and from Israel.
Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice, and Israel’s air defence units stood at high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.
Iranian airspace has also been closed, according to state media and notices to pilots.
Iraq early on June 13 closed its airspace and suspended all traffic at its airports, Iraqi state media reported.