Which airports are closed and where flights are cancelled amid Israel–Iran conflict?

Thousands of passengers are facing major disruption to flights after Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran on 13 June.

Airspace stretching from Iran to Iraq has been empty for 10 days since Israel began its strikes on Iran, with airlines diverting, delaying and cancelling flights across the region due to safety concerns.

Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport is closed until further notice, and major carriers including Emirates, Lufthansa, Air France, United, and Delta have cancelled flights or suspended services.

After the US attacked key nuclear sites in Iran overnight on Sunday, 22 June, some airlines also cancelled services to nearby aviation hubs like Dubai and Doha.

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If you are travelling to affected countries or have a trip planned, here are the latest updates and advice from authorities.

Airlines cancel flights to Dubai and Doha after US strikes Iran

Hundreds of British Airways (BA) passengers found themselves thousands of kilometres away from their intended destination on Sunday after the US launched attacks on Iran overnight.

A BA flight heading for Dubai on Saturday evening was forced to divert to Zurich due to security concerns. All three BA services from London Heathrow to Dubai were then cancelled on Sunday, along with an evening flight to Doha in Qatar. More than 1,000 passengers were left stranded in Dubai due to the cancellations.

The airline is due to resume services to Dubai and Doha on Monday, but is offering a flexible booking policy for passengers with flights to Dubai and Doha between Sunday and Tuesday, 24 June.

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“We are contacting our customers to advise them of their options while we work through this developing situation,” BA said in a statement.

Some other operators have extended cancellations to these aviation hubs over the next few days.

Singapore Airlines, for example, has described the situation as “fluid” and cancelled services to Dubai through to Wednesday, 25 June. Iberia cancelled flights on Sunday and Monday to Doha and is still assessing the situation for later flights.

Air France KLM also cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Monday, while Finnair has cancelled flights to Doha until at least Tuesday, 24 June.

KLM has also offered to rebook and refund passengers scheduled to fly between Amsterdam and Dubai, Riyadh or Dammam between 19 and 29 June.

American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar, and United Airlines and Air Canada suspended services to Dubai in the days before the strikes.

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The situation could change rapidly, so if you are planning to travel via these airports, check the status of your flight before you go.

Are airports closed in Israel and Iran?

With Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport closed for all civilian flights until further notice, many airlines have cancelled and suspended services.

Many international airlines had already halted services to and from the airport after a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on 4 May landed nearby.

Despite airspace closures, Israel’s airlines were given government permission last week to start operating rescue flights to bring back people stranded abroad during the conflict with Iran.

Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport is empty of passengers following an Israeli military strike on Iran. – AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

There are as many as around 50,000 Israelis looking to return to the country, Israel’s Transportation Ministry has said.

El Al Airlines said it is expecting to operate these flights for anyone with a cancelled ticket to Israel from 18 June from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. No passenger flights will leave Israel, and all scheduled services are cancelled through to 23 June.

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Israel’s second biggest airline, Arkia, has also said it will start bringing back stranded people from Larnaca in Cyprus, Karpathos in Greece and Tivat in Montenegro.

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Israir said it would operate three rescue flights from Larnaca, Athens and Varana in Bulgaria on Wednesday and is hoping to offer more soon.

Iran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, along with Tabriz Shahid Madani Airport, were all closed to civilian flights immediately after the attack.

Where else are airports closed in the region?

Authorities have closed some airports overnight in neighbouring countries when attacks are at their most intense, so stay informed if you are still planning to travel.

Iraq’s airports have all been closed due to its proximity to Iran.

Dubai International and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International airports have issued a warning saying that passengers “may experience delays, cancellations or diversions” due to airspace closures.

“We strongly advise all travellers to check with their airline for the latest flight status before heading to the airport, and to allow extra time for their journey.”

Which countries have closed their airspace?

Flights which were in Iranian airspace when news of the strikes hit were diverted or returned to their point of departure. Iran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport swiftly halted both inbound and outbound traffic.

More than 10 international flights that were forced to change their routes on Friday landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan. Among these flights were those operated by leading airlines such as AJet, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways, Etihad Airways, and Turkish Airlines.

A total of 29 flights carrying 2,427 passengers were diverted to Cyprus, with 20 flights from Europe and the US landing in Larnaca and 9 in Pafos.

Around 1,800 flights to and from Europe alone were impacted on Friday, according to Eurocontrol.

Skies over much of the Middle East still remain closed. Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria quickly closed their airspace following the strikes, causing airlines to reroute services.

Airspace is now partially open in Lebanon and Jordan, but there are still reports of chaos at airports with many passengers stranded due to delayed and cancelled flights.

Much of the air traffic that would have passed across the region is now being diverted either south, via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, or north, via Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Eastern Iraq, near the border with Iran, is an exceptionally busy air corridor used by many routes from Asia to Europe.

This means some flights that pass over the region may arrive later than scheduled as airlines avoid these closed airspaces, leading to delays, missed connections and further knock-on disruption.

Flights that now need to pass over the Mediterranean will also be competing for Europe’s already crowded airspace, which could also lead to delays, especially for routes to Italy, Croatia and central Europe.

Which airlines have cancelled flights?

Israel’s strikes against Iran and the ongoing conflict have prompted many international airlines to suspend or cancel services to destinations across the Middle East.

Low-cost carrier flydubai said flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel and Syria will remain suspended until 30 June.

Dubai-based Emirates has temporarily suspended flights to Iran and Iraq until 30 June.

Qatar Airways said it had “temporarily cancelled” flights to Iran, Iraq and Syria due to the current situation in the region.

Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, has suspended flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv until 15 July. Flights to Amman and Beirut are now operating on a revised schedule, so check before you travel.

Lufthansa has suspended flights to Tehran and Tel Aviv until 31 July. Flights to and from Beirut are cancelled until 30 June.

Air France flights to and from Tel Aviv have been suspended “until further notice” after the closure of Israeli airspace.

Dutch airline KLM has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv until at least 1 July, and some flights to, from or via Beirut until 29 June may also be disrupted.

British Airways has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until at least 31 July due to ongoing security concerns. Flights to and from Amman and Bahrain are suspended until 30 June.

Greece’s Aegean Airlines has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman and Erbil up to and including the early morning flight on 8 September.

Hungarian-based budget airline Wizz Air has suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Amman until 15 September.

Italian airline ITA Airways has said it will extend its suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv until 31 July.

Spanish airline Air Europa has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv until 31 July.

Ryanair has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv until 30 September.

US carrier Delta Air Lines has advised passengers that travel to, from or through Tel Aviv may be affected between 12 June and 31 August.

Israeli airline El Al has cancelled all of its scheduled flights to and from Israel through 27 June over security concerns. New bookings have also been closed for flights scheduled to depart through 15 July.

El Al said it would allow passengers with departure tickets until 28 June to cancel them and convert them into travel vouchers.

Israir has said it is cancelling all flights to and from Israel until 30 June and has stopped the sale of all flights until 7 July.

If you have a flight booked to Israel, Iran or neighbouring countries, you are advised to monitor airline and airport websites closely for updates.

What is the latest government advice for travelling to the Middle East?

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued a string of advisories on Friday, 13 June, warning travellers visiting Middle Eastern and North African destinations about rising tensions in the region.

It included popular tourist destinations such as Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.

“Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region,” the UK FCDO said.

Warnings were also issued for Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Travellers have been told to “monitor local and international media for the latest information” and “be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities”.

On Sunday, the UK FCDO advised against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories amid ongoing missile attacks.

The FCDO also advises against all travel to Iran, warning that “British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention”.

Foreign ministries in other European countries, including France and Germany, have also issued similar warnings against travel to Israel and Iran.

Am I covered by travel insurance if I travel to Israel or Iran?

Foreign offices warn that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against their advice. This means going to areas where they have issued a ‘no-go’ warning or advise against all but essential travel.

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If you do so, you are likely to be left without coverage for incidents, including medical emergencies and evacuations.

It may also mean that if you are arrested or put in detention, your country’s embassy or officials have limited ability to help you.

If you have booked with a travel agent or tour operator, contact the company directly to understand your options.

You can find more information on your passenger rights and what to do if your flight is cancelled here.

Emirates, Egypt, Ryanair, Kuwait, Lufthansa, Qatar, Cyprus, Air Canada and More Hit by Over 400 New Flight Delays and Cancellations Across Jordan, UAE, Turkey, Oman, and Others Amid Rising Iran–Israel Tensions and Operational Disruptions

Over 400 new flight delays and cancellations have impacted major airlines including Emirates, EgyptAir, Ryanair, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Cyprus Airways, and Air Canada due to a surge in operational disruptions and rising Iran–Israel tensions across Jordan, the UAE, Turkey, Oman, and other affected regions. As rerouted airspace, ground crew limitations, and heightened regional security compound across key hubs, passengers are facing mounting travel chaos, particularly in the Middle East where transit bottlenecks are intensifying by the hour.

Queen Alia International Airport – Amman, Jordan

At Queen Alia International Airport, operations came under severe pressure as 31 flights were cancelled and 29 delayed in a single day. Royal Jordanian, the flag carrier, was among the hardest hit, with 15 cancellations and 15 delays, crippling its network across the region.

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Low-cost European airlines like Ryanair, Buzz, and Wizz Air suffered heavily as well, with each cancelling multiple flights — some reporting 100% cancellations for the day. Oman Air and Saudia also cancelled scheduled operations at Amman, citing rerouting complications and extended turnaround times.

Smaller regional carriers such as Jazeera Airways, Flynas, and Middle East Airlines faced delays of up to 40%, while Jordan Aviation and Pegasus Airlines reported minor disruptions. The congested ground operations and regional airspace rerouting created a cascade of delays that affected both inbound and outbound traffic through Jordan.

Dubai International Airport – UAE

Dubai International Airport saw the most significant volume of disruption, with 244 flights delayed and 12 cancelled, marking one of the busiest delay days so far this summer. Emirates, the UAE’s flagship airline, reported 91 delayed flights, many of them long-haul routes entangled in congested air corridors and regional detours caused by rising security concerns.

Low-cost carrier FlyDubai was equally impacted, with over 85 flights delayed, creating long queues and connection issues for travelers in transit. SpiceJet recorded delays on more than 60% of its services, while IndiGo, Gulf Air, and Air India Express all experienced measurable delays ranging between 14% to 43% of their daily schedules.

Airlines operating internationally through Dubai, including Air France, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines, each reported one or more cancellations. Additional cancellations came from Kuwait Airways, Air Algerie, United Airlines, and Oman Air. Delays from Qatar Airways, Etihad, EgyptAir, Wizz Air Malta, and Cyprus Airways were also noted, showing just how widely the effects rippled through the terminal.

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport – Turkey

In Turkey, Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport logged 72 delays and 15 cancellations, driven largely by disruptions to Pegasus Airlines, which reported over 45 delays and all 15 cancellations at the terminal. Other Turkish and Gulf-region airlines including Turkish Airlines, AJet, and FlyDubai also reported sporadic delays due to airspace detours and congested departure slots.

The ripple effects extended to other carriers such as Smart Lynx and FlyDubai, who faced minor delays. Istanbul’s growing role as a connector between Europe and Asia made it vulnerable to operational shocks tied to Middle Eastern airspace restrictions and flight rerouting over tense borders.

Ben Gurion International Airport – Israel

At Ben Gurion International Airport, 10 cancellations and one delay were recorded. Most of the cancelled services came from Wizz Air and Wizz Air UK, which suspended numerous flights citing airspace concerns and heightened security protocols.

Although El Al, Israel’s national carrier, only reported a single minor delay, the broader atmosphere at the airport remained tense. The airspace implications from Iran–Israel friction have forced airlines to adopt cautious routing strategies, reducing flight frequency and increasing layover times.

Regional Tensions Fuel Airspace Disruptions

This latest surge in flight interruptions traces directly back to intensifying tensions between Iran and Israel, which have destabilized flight routing options across key corridors. Airlines operating in or near this volatile region are now rerouting aircraft, applying longer buffer zones, and in some cases, delaying or cancelling services outright to avoid conflict-prone airspace.

Operational challenges have been compounded by crew shortages, increased turnaround times, and mounting passenger volumes as summer travel peaks. Airlines are battling to keep schedules intact while navigating a web of political risk and logistical strain.

Queen Alia International Airport – Amman, Jordan

Total: 31 cancellations, 29 delays

Main Issues: Rerouted airspace, crew limitations, and operational strain

Royal Jordanian : 15 cancellations (13%), 15 delays (13%)

: 15 cancellations (13%), 15 delays (13%) Ryanair : 5 cancellations (55%)

: 5 cancellations (55%) Saudia : 3 cancellations (42%)

: 3 cancellations (42%) Buzz : 3 cancellations (100%)

: 3 cancellations (100%) Wizz Air : 2 cancellations (100%)

: 2 cancellations (100%) Oman Air : 2 cancellations (100%)

: 2 cancellations (100%) Pegasus Airlines : 1 cancellation (16%)

: 1 cancellation (16%) Jordan Aviation : 2 delays (33%)

: 2 delays (33%) Jazeera Airways : 2 delays (40%)

: 2 delays (40%) Flynas : 2 delays (33%)

: 2 delays (33%) Middle East Airlines : 1 delay (25%)

: 1 delay (25%) Qatar Airways : 4 delays (50%)

: 4 delays (50%) Etihad Airways: 3 delays (75%)

Dubai International Airport – UAE

Total: 12 cancellations, 244 delays

Main Issues: Regional airspace detours, overburdened ground operations

Emirates : 91 delays (19%)

: 91 delays (19%) FlyDubai : 85 delays (29%)

: 85 delays (29%) SpiceJet : 13 delays (61%)

: 13 delays (61%) IndiGo : 13 delays (43%)

: 13 delays (43%) Air India : 6 delays (26%)

: 6 delays (26%) Air India Express : 4 delays (14%)

: 4 delays (14%) Qatar Airways : 2 delays (20%)

: 2 delays (20%) Etihad Airways : 3 delays (75%)

: 3 delays (75%) Flynas : 2 delays (6%)

: 2 delays (6%) Air Astana : 2 delays (40%)

: 2 delays (40%) Middle East Airlines : 2 delays (33%)

: 2 delays (33%) Gulf Air : 2 delays (14%)

: 2 delays (14%) EgyptAir : 1 delay (12%)

: 1 delay (12%) Air France : 2 cancellations (100%)

: 2 cancellations (100%) British Airways : 2 cancellations (22%)

: 2 cancellations (22%) United Airlines : 1 cancellation (50%)

: 1 cancellation (50%) Kuwait Airways : 1 cancellation (12%)

: 1 cancellation (12%) KLM : 1 cancellation (50%)

: 1 cancellation (50%) Air Canada : 1 cancellation (50%)

: 1 cancellation (50%) Singapore Airlines : 1 cancellation (50%)

: 1 cancellation (50%) Air Algerie : 1 cancellation (50%)

: 1 cancellation (50%) Belavia : 1 delay (100%)

: 1 delay (100%) Air China : 1 delay (33%)

: 1 delay (33%) Condor : 1 delay (50%)

: 1 delay (50%) Cyprus Airways : 1 delay (100%)

: 1 delay (100%) Lufthansa : 1 delay (50%)

: 1 delay (50%) FlyOne : 1 delay (50%)

: 1 delay (50%) Korean Air : 1 delay (50%)

: 1 delay (50%) Aegean Airlines : 1 delay (50%)

: 1 delay (50%) Wizz Air Malta : 2 delays (100%)

: 2 delays (100%) Aeroflot : 2 delays (66%)

: 2 delays (66%) Syrian Arab Airlines : 1 delay (33%)

: 1 delay (33%) Uzbekistan Airways : 1 delay (50%)

: 1 delay (50%) US-Bangla Airlines: 2 delays (66%)

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International – Turkey

Total: 15 cancellations, 72 delays

Main Issues: Airspace rerouting, congested departure slots

Pegasus Airlines : 15 cancellations (3%), 45 delays (9%)

: 15 cancellations (3%), 45 delays (9%) Turkish Airlines : 20 delays (11%)

: 20 delays (11%) Smart Lynx : 3 delays (13%)

: 3 delays (13%) FlyDubai : 2 delays (100%)

: 2 delays (100%) AJet: 2 delays (2%)

Ben Gurion International Airport – Israel

Total: 10 cancellations, 1 delay

Main Issues: Heightened security measures, airspace instability

Wizz Air : 9 cancellations (52%)

: 9 cancellations (52%) Wizz Air UK : 1 cancellation (25%)

: 1 cancellation (25%) El Al: 1 delay (20%)

Carriers Most Affected

The disruption has touched dozens of airlines including:

Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Pegasus Airlines, Emirates, FlyDubai, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Air Canada, Lufthansa, British Airways, Kuwait Airways, EgyptAir, Cyprus Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Air India, United Airlines, and many more.

Over 400 new flight delays and cancellations have hit major airlines including Emirates, EgyptAir, Ryanair, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Cyprus Airways, and Air Canada due to escalating Iran–Israel tensions and widespread operational disruptions across Jordan, the UAE, Turkey, Oman, and beyond.

What Travelers Should Know

With over 400 flights disrupted in under 24 hours, passengers traveling through affected regions should prepare for last-minute changes, expect longer connection windows, and check with airlines before departing.

As tensions in the region remain volatile, airlines are likely to continue adjusting routes and frequencies in real time — making flexibility and awareness essential for travelers navigating this complex summer season.

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Finnair Slashes Over 300 Flights From Late May To June Amid Explosive Ground Staff Strikes Sparking Massive Travel Chaos

From late May to early June 2025, Finnair is set to cancel over 300 flights due to coordinated strikes by ground handling staff, including baggage, cargo, maintenance, and catering teams. These labor disputes have escalated after prolonged contract negotiations stalled, forcing the airline to reduce its schedule by roughly one-third on key dates and causing significant disruptions to travel plans across Europe.

Finnair Struggles with Employee Strikes Leading to Widespread Flight Disruptions in Mid-2025

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Finnair, Finland’s flagship airline, has been grappling with significant labor unrest across multiple employee groups over recent months, resulting in the highest proportion of flight cancellations among European carriers so far this year. The ongoing disputes have severely disrupted its operations and placed thousands of travelers in uncertain situations.

Major Flight Cancellations Loom Over Finnair’s Summer Schedule

For May 30 and June 2 and 4, 2025, Finnair plans to cancel between 300 and 400 flights—roughly one-third of its entire scheduled departures on those days. The cancellations stem from coordinated strikes involving ground handling staff, which encompass roles such as baggage handling, cargo services, aircraft maintenance, and catering personnel.

On the eve of the first strike day, the airline had already announced the cancellation of 110 flights set for May 30, signaling the scale of disruption passengers can expect.

Strike Participation and Impact Remain Uncertain but Significant

Details about the exact number of striking employees remain unclear, with estimates ranging between 300 and 600 participants during similar past actions. These numbers fluctuate, reflecting varying levels of engagement from workers across customer service, ground operations, and related departments.

Historically, Finnair has seen anywhere from 60 to 110 flights cancelled during strike days, but this year’s planned cancellations exceed previous disruptions by a considerable margin. Typically, the airline announces cancellations one or two days before strike commencement, giving travelers short notice to adjust their plans.

Passenger Rebooking Efforts and Associated Challenges

Finnair has committed to assisting affected passengers by rebooking them on alternative flights, including those operated by other airlines. While this approach demonstrates a proactive effort to mitigate the strike’s impact, many customers report that the substitute routes often involve multiple transfers or longer travel times, reducing convenience and increasing travel stress.

The airline’s customer service teams are working diligently to find the best available options, but given the widespread nature of the cancellations and the complex network of connecting flights, not all passengers will enjoy seamless rerouting.

Passenger Rights and Compensation During Strikes

Under the European Union’s EC 261/2004 Air Passenger Rights regulation, travelers affected by cancellations and significant delays are entitled to various protections. Airlines must rebook passengers to their final destination at the earliest opportunity and provide accommodations and meals if delays are extensive.

Additionally, passengers may opt for a full refund if their flight is cancelled or severely delayed, offering a financial remedy for those who choose to abandon their journey altogether.

However, compensation rules do not automatically apply if the strike involves employees who are not directly employed by the airline, such as outsourced ground handling staff. This nuance can sometimes limit passenger claims, depending on the nature of the labor action.

Contract Negotiations Remain Stalled Across Most Employee Groups

The root cause of Finnair’s turmoil is an inability to secure new labor contracts with most of its employee unions, aside from its cabin crew, who have successfully negotiated terms.

Pilot unions, in particular, remain without a finalized agreement. While pilots have paused their work-to-rule campaigns—a form of protest that slowed operations and increased cancellations—they have yet to reach a contract settlement. This ongoing impasse continues to inject uncertainty into Finnair’s scheduling and operational stability.

The Broader Impact on Travelers

Passengers planning to fly with Finnair on the strike days face considerable risks of cancellations or significant delays. Those with connecting flights through Helsinki, a central hub for Finnair, are especially vulnerable to disruptions that could cascade through their travel itineraries.

Travelers are strongly encouraged to stay informed via official airline communications, monitor flight statuses closely, and prepare contingency plans in case of cancellations.

Looking Ahead

Finnair finds itself at a critical crossroads. The airline’s inability to reach agreements with key employee groups threatens to undermine its reputation for reliability and customer service.

Resolving labor disputes swiftly and fairly is essential for restoring stability to flight operations and rebuilding passenger confidence ahead of the busy summer travel season.

Until then, those flying with Finnair during this turbulent period will need patience, flexibility, and a watchful eye on evolving strike developments.

From late May to early June 2025, Finnair will cancel over 300 flights due to strikes by ground handling staff, severely disrupting travel plans. The cancellations follow stalled contract talks and coordinated labor actions across key employee groups.

Finnair is facing significant operational turmoil due to ongoing strikes by multiple employee groups, resulting in the cancellation of up to one-third of flights on key dates in late May and early June 2025. Despite efforts to rebook passengers, travel disruptions are widespread, and labor negotiations with pilots and other staff remain unresolved. Passengers should remain vigilant and prepare for potential delays and cancellations.

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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.

Travelers faced major disruptions this Memorial Day weekend as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded hundreds of flights nationwide due to severe weather.

The FAA cited safety concerns amid thunderstorms and adverse weather conditions.

Newsweek has contacted the FAA via email for comment.

Passengers queuing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday. Passengers queuing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday. Anthony Behar/Sipa USA/AP

Why It Matters

According to an FAA advisory, flights will be affected from Sunday night through to Memorial Day Monday, with a medium probability of extension. With thousands of passengers expected to fly, further delays are likely.

The FAA anticipated seeing record-high travel over this period, with a peak on Thursday of nearly 54,000 flights.

What To Know

Thunderstorms that moved into the Denver metro area Sunday forced the FAA to halt flights coming into the city’s international airport (DIA).

More storms in Central Florida also prompted a ground stop at Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Sunday evening, temporarily halting incoming flights and causing significant delays.

Officials urged passengers to check flight statuses regularly.

As reported by Fox35 Orlando, a ground stop was implemented Sunday evening at MCO due to thunderstorms, suspending inbound flights from several regional hubs. Departures from the airport faced average delays of 90 minutes as weather-related disruptions continued to escalate.

Colorado local news outlet Denver7 reported that a ground stop was issued Sunday at 3:45 p.m. local time for DIA and lasted for an hour. During this time, most inbound flights were temporarily grounded.

Due to adverse weather conditions, the airport saw a surge in delays and cancellations in the hours before the FAA issued its order in the afternoon.

DIUA has reported over 400 flight delays and at least 10 cancellations during the busy Memorial Day travel weekend, according to Denver 7.

This follows on from a tornado that landed just outside Denver last week, causing mass destruction, with footage captured by a passenger on a plane, as reported by Newsweek.

This is the second incident affecting DIA this month. According to the FAA, part of the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center experienced “a loss of communications for approximately 90 seconds around 1:50 p.m. local time on Monday, May 12, when both transmitters that cover a segment of airspace went down.

“Controllers used another frequency to relay instructions to pilots. Aircraft remained safely separated, and there were no impacts to operations. The FAA is investigating,” the agency said.

What People Are Saying

Representatives from the FAA, airline industry, and labor organizations met last week to share safety best practices and discuss how to make the world’s busiest air transportation system even safer.

Acting FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau said: “Commercial airline travel remains the safest form of transportation in world history. But the last three months drove home that we need to do more, we need to be better, and we need to do it together.”

What Happens Next

Travelers are advised to keep an eye on the FAA website to monitor the status of all airports across the National Airspace System, and to visit the FAA’s PackSafe page for information on what you can and can’t take on a plane.

India Pakistan live: A Pakistani military spokesperson told Reuters that India fired missiles at an airbase in Rawalpindi and said New Delhi should now ‘wait’ for Islamabad’s response.

India Pakistan highlights: Srinagar airport was hit by a suspected drone attack late on Friday, PTI reported citing officials, who added that countermeasures had been activated. Drone attacks were repulsed in Jammu, Samba, Barmer, Pokhran, Ferozepur, Rajouri, Phalodi, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar. The central government has also extended its previous closure of 24 airports across India till 5:29 am on May 15. …Read More

Earlier in the evening, foreign secretary Vikram Misri addressed the May 8 attacks by Pakistan on multiple locations in India, stating that the provocative actions by Pakistan were aimed at both Indian cities and civilian infrastructure, as well as military establishments.

He said that the Indian armed forces responded in a proportional, adequate, and responsible manner. Misri also criticised Pakistan’s official denial of the attacks, calling it a blatant falsehood and highlighting the duplicity of the Pakistani state, which he said was continuing to sink to new depths.

A total of 138 flights to and from Delhi airport were cancelled by several airlines on Friday amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Security has also been tightened at airports nationwide.

Additionally, nearly 27 airports across the country have been shut down in response to Operation Sindoor—a military operation launched by Indian armed forces on Wednesday targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes came as retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh held a comprehensive review of the national security scenario in a meeting with CDS General Anil Chauhan and the chiefs of the three armed forces.

The series of meetings in Delhi comes a day after Pakistan’s attempts to target Indian military installations were repelled.

Earlier today, the Indian Army said that it effectively repulsed multiple attacks, using drones and other munitions, by Pakistan along the entire western border on the intervening night of May 8 and May 9.

At least eight Pakistani missiles were intercepted at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia in the Jammu region as India’s S400 air defence system shot down hostile missiles at multiple places along the western border.

Blackouts and sirens were activated across the Jammu region. Sirens were also heard in Akhnoor, Samba, Baramulla and Kupwara.

Also Read | Jammu: Seven JeM infiltrators killed by BSF in Samba sector

On Thursday, the Indian military had said it thwarted attempts by Pakistan forces to hit several military targets in 15 cities in the country’s north and west using missiles and drones, and targeted Pakistan’s air defence network at several locations in that country, with the one in Lahore being destroyed in the counter-attack.

The development came a day after India launched precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people on April 22. The mission was codenamed Operation Sindoor. Union defence minister Rajnath Singh told an all-party meeting on Thursday that at least 100 terrorists were killed in the operation.

More on India-Pak tensions