KLM, European airlines warned to avoid Iranian airspace amid rising tensions
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised airlines to avoid flying over Iran due to ongoing political tensions and threats of military action from U.S. President Donald Trump. The warning, issued Friday, cites the "presence and potential use of a wide range of weapons and air defense systems, combined with unpredictable state responses," as a significant risk to civil aviation.
KLM confirmed Thursday that it will no longer fly over Iranian airspace. The airline previously only occasionally used the route for flights from Singapore to Amsterdam.
German carrier Lufthansa also announced it would avoid the airspace and suspended flights to Tehran. German air traffic authorities instructed airlines Thursday morning not to fly over Iran until February 10, according to AFP.
The advisory comes amid nationwide protests in Iran that began several weeks ago over soaring inflation. Demonstrations quickly escalated into broader protests against the country’s strict regime, lack of political freedoms, and violations of women’s rights.
Human rights organization HRANA, based in the United States, reports that more than 3,000 people have been killed in the government’s violent crackdown on protesters. Previously, President Trump threatened to intervene militarily if Iran persisted in killing demonstrators.
