Dubai — Several international airlines have begun rerouting or suspending flights over parts of the Middle East due to rising concerns over missile activity and reports of widespread GPS spoofing, escalating fears about aviation safety in an already volatile region.
The latest wave of diversions comes after multiple carriers, including Lufthansa, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines, acknowledged recent route adjustments to avoid high-risk corridors over Iraq, Iran, and parts of the Eastern Mediterranean. The changes follow military escalations and increasing incidents of electronic warfare, which have disrupted navigation systems aboard commercial aircraft.
“We are closely monitoring the security situation and have implemented precautionary measures to ensure the safety of our passengers and crew,” a spokesperson for Lufthansa said on Friday, confirming rerouted flights between Europe and Asia.
Missile Risks and No-Fly Warnings
Recent airstrikes and missile launches, particularly near the borders of Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, have prompted several governments to issue updated NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions), warning airlines to exercise “extreme caution” or avoid certain airspaces entirely. U.S. and European aviation authorities have reiterated advisories for carriers to avoid overflying conflict zones.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to restrict U.S. operators from entering parts of Baghdad FIR (Flight Information Region) and Tehran FIR due to ongoing military activity.
In a particularly concerning development, Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority reported a near-miss involving an unidentified projectile that passed within visual range of a civilian aircraft descending toward Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport earlier this month. No injuries were reported, but the incident triggered a temporary rerouting of arriving flights.
GPS Spoofing and Navigation Anomalies
Compounding the missile threat is a surge in reports of GPS spoofing — a form of electronic interference that manipulates aircraft navigation systems by sending false location data. Pilots flying over areas such as the eastern Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf, and parts of the Red Sea have reported receiving inaccurate positional readings and autopilot errors mid-flight.
According to aviation security firm OpsGroup, dozens of commercial flights have experienced navigation anomalies since June, many requiring manual pilot intervention to correct course or switch to alternate inertial navigation systems.
“We’ve entered a new phase of electronic warfare impacting civil aviation,” said OpsGroup founder Mark Zee. “GPS spoofing is no longer isolated — it’s widespread and strategic.”
Some incidents have forced pilots to abandon RNAV approaches, revert to raw data navigation, or delay descents due to positional uncertainty. While no accidents have occurred, the disruptions are raising alarms among global aviation safety agencies.
Airlines Respond with Route Changes
In response, airlines are increasingly rerouting long-haul services between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Flight paths are being shifted southward over the Arabian Sea or northward through Central Asia, adding flight time and operational costs but improving safety margins.
British Airways and Air France have adjusted routings on select Middle East-bound services, while Gulf carriers are working with regional air traffic control to mitigate the risks without cancelling routes.
“The region’s complexity demands real-time coordination between airlines, regulators, and military authorities,” said aviation risk consultant Maya Khan. “This is a classic high-risk airspace scenario — dynamic and fast-moving.”
ICAO and IATA Monitoring Situation
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have both acknowledged the situation and urged affected states to share real-time intelligence with carriers operating in the region.
IATA issued a statement urging governments to uphold their obligations under the Chicago Convention to protect civilian air traffic, particularly when hostilities risk spilling into controlled airspace.
“Safety must not be compromised by geopolitical tensions,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh. “All actors in the region must work to ensure the skies remain safe for all.”