Air travel in the waiting state: security situation escalated in the Middle East!

Air travel in the waiting state: security situation escalated in the Middle East!

The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has a serious impact on international air traffic and travel opportunities in the region. The airspace over the Middle East had to be closed to Iranian goals due to intensive attacks by Israeli forces. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described these attacks as a "opening strike" and continues the offensive strategy. As a result, numerous international flight connections, especially towards Asia and Africa, are affected. Airlines such as the Lufthansa Group have deleted all flights to Tehran and Tel Aviv by at least at the end of July 2025, as well as connections to Amman, Erbil and Beirut are exposed. Travelers are advised to observe the situation regularly, especially when there are flights with changes in the region.

The current situation also leads to diversions. Many long-haul flights have to take a fuel stops or arrive late because there are temporary airspace closures above Iran, Iraq and Jordan. Despite these challenges, there are no travel warnings for popular holiday destinations such as Turkey and Cyprus. These countries are considered ready, although travelers in certain border areas, such as in the provinces Şanlıurfa and Mardin on the border with Syria or in Sırnak and Hakkâri, are advised.

travel instructions and security situation

The Federal Foreign Office provides information about a "tightened security situation" in Cyprus, which is about 250 kilometers from Israel. There are reports of night activities, such as attacks by Iran and Israeli rocket defense reactions that can be observed by the people along the south coast. In order to ensure the security of the population and tourists, the Cypriot government introduced the "Safecy" app. This enables users to find the nearest protective bunker and provides behavioral instructions in an emergency. Cyprus has around 2,200 shelters that are also accessible to tourists.

For travelers with already booked package tours, it is not possible to resign without a formal travel warning. However, there is the possibility to contact the tour operators in the event of uncertainties, and it is important to check the information from the Federal Foreign Office and the flight status via the respective airlines or booking portals. When booking for flights or cancellations, passengers are entitled to reimbursement of the ticket price in accordance with the EU Airkastrechtrecht Regulation.

advice for travelers

Experts recommend that you follow specific steps in times of crisis: Find out about the current travel warnings, document appropriate incidents and react quickly to developments. The right to compensation is often dependent on the individual case. This includes contacting the tour operator at package tours or with the airline in flight cancellations. It is important that wars or armed clashes are considered exceptional circumstances, which generally excludes a blanket compensation.

travelers to Cyprus and Turkey should keep up to date with the location on site and be ready to adapt their plans if necessary. Security awareness is essential in the current geopolitical situation.