Singapore Airlines Find'Alternative Channels' Avoid Tension Areas In The Middle East

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JAKARTA - Singapore Airlines (SIA) stopped using Iranian airspace. This precautionary measure must be taken in the midst of a situation in the Middle East.

The Israel-Hamas war is in danger of escalating into a wider conflict, after Iran launched more than 200 drones and missiles into Israel since Saturday.

"As a precautionary measure, which takes effect from 13.00 (Singapore time) on April 13, 2024, all Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights stop flying across Iranian airspace and use alternative flight routes," wrote SIA, reported by Channel News Asia, Sunday, April 14.

"We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, and we will adjust the flight path as needed."

The steps taken by SIA are similar to those taken by several other airlines, including German airline Lufthansa and its subsidiary Austrian Airlines.

On Friday, Lufthansa said that its aircraft would no longer use Iranian airspace because it extended the suspension of flights to and from the Iranian capital.

Although Lufthansa did not specify the reason for the suspension, Austrian Airlines said it was taking the action because of the current situation in the Middle East.

For Austrian Airlines, the safety of passengers and crew is top priority. The situation in the Middle East is being evaluated sustainably. For this purpose, Austrian continues to make close contact with the authorities," he said.

On Saturday, Australian airline Qantas also said it would divert long-distance flights between Perth and London to avoid Iranian airspace amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Israel and its neighbor Jordanian state, located between Iraq and Israel, said on Saturday night that they were closing their airspace.