International Airlines Cancel Flights to Iran and Iraq

A number of international airlines have canceled flights to Iran and Iraq.

South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and China Airlines made the announcement, saying they would be avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace. The reason for this is the recent developments and heightened tension in the Middle East.

The use of airspace in parts of Iran and Iraq is also banned in the US. The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued NOTAMs prohibiting US civil aviation from operating in Iraq, Iran, and over the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

The announcements came after Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against multiple bases housing US troops in Iraq.

Tehran’s attack follows the US killing of Iran’s top general, Qasem Soleimani, last Friday. Tensions in the Middle East rose following his death, with Iran vowing revenge.

In addition, a Boeing 737 belonging to Ukrainian airlines crashed soon after taking off from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airport on Wednesday, killing all 176 people aboard. 

The Ukrainian Embassy in Tehran has ruled out a terror attack as a possible cause for the plane crash, instead saying in a statement that preliminary information suggests engine failure, CNN has reported.

“According to preliminary information, the plane crashed due to an engine malfunction. The version of the terrorist attack or rocket attack is currently excluded,” the statement on its website reads.

By Ana Dumbadze

Related Story:  Ukrainian Passenger Plane Crashes in Iran