BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s aviation regulator warned that escalating tensions between Israel and Iran were causing major disruption to international air traffic, hitting key routes between Europe, Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Urgent warning from the aviation authority
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) issued an urgent safety notice for civil aviation in response to the military escalation between Israel and Iran. The communication was based on recent developments in the region.
In its statement, the authority referred to recent air strikes and rocket operations that had led several countries in the Middle East to close or restrict their airspace. These measures were taken as the security situation deteriorated.
Airspace closures in Israel and Iran
According to official information, the Israeli government suspended all civilian flight operations and urged the public to avoid domestic airports until further notice. The directive covered all regular passenger services.
Iranian authorities also closed the national airspace for security reasons to protect civil aviation during the tense situation. The move affected all civilian flights entering or crossing Iranian skies.
Impact on routes between Europe and Asia
In addition to Israel and Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait implemented a partial closure of their airspace as a precaution. These steps added further constraints in a key transit region.
According to CAAT’s assessment, the measures primarily affected heavily used transit corridors between Europe, Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, which now had to be widely rerouted. Airlines were expected to adjust flight paths around multiple restricted zones.
Delays, rebooking and airline obligations
Many airlines were already diverting to alternative routes, which, according to CAAT, could lead to delays and possible cancellations on services over the Middle East. Longer flight times and schedule changes were anticipated.
Passengers with destinations in Europe, the Middle East or with regional connecting flights were advised to check their flight status closely with airlines and booking platforms before travelling to the airport. CAAT emphasized the need for frequent updates given the fast-changing situation.
Passenger rights from Thailand
CAAT reminded travelers that passengers departing from Thai airports were legally protected by national regulations in cases of delays or cancellations. These rules defined the obligations of airlines toward affected customers.
At the same time, the authority pointed out that comparable protection might not exist in transit countries. Claims could therefore be handled differently depending on the jurisdiction responsible.
Complaints and ongoing monitoring
For complaints or claims related to flight disruptions, CAAT referred passengers to the official platform complaint.caat.or.th. Travelers could use this channel to submit their concerns for review.
According to its own account, the authority worked closely with security institutions and airlines and continuously monitored developments in the Middle East. CAAT announced it would issue further updates if necessary.