Asian – Dispatch

Airlines traversing the Middle East face new challenges  after Israel launched air strikes against Iran, leading a number of  countries in the region to close their airspace.   

The SriLankan Airlines said yesterday it has been compelled  to make changes to its European routes, including London, due to  escalating tensions in the Middle East, to avoid the conflict zone.   

“These route changes have led to increased flight durations  on our services to Europe. Flight UL504 arriving from London to Colombo yesterday was diverted to Doha for refuelling due to in-flight  rerouting, while UL501 from Colombo to Paris is also being rerouted to  avoid affected airspace.” the airline said.  SriLankan Airlines requested the understanding and patience  of its passengers as these changes are implemented for their safety and  well-being.  

For more information, the airline requested to contact:  1979 (within Sri Lanka); +94 11 777 1979 (international); WhatsApp +94  74 444 1979 (chat only); or the travel agent.  Israel halted overflights until further notice, as did Iran  after ceasing operations at its main airport in Tehran. 

Neighbouring  Iraq, Syria, and Jordan were among the countries closing airspace after  Israel struck Iran’s nuclear programme and ballistic-missile sites on  Friday.  The attacks mark a major escalation in the stand-off between  the two adversaries, and risk setting off a wider war in the Middle  East.

Source: Daily Mirror