The significant disruption that the Iran War has caused, and continues to cause, to the major hubs of the Persian Gulf is well known. It’s also well known that European airlines cancel flights and suspend routes at the slightest provocation. What’s less known is how the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean have been affected by the war and the efforts they make to keep flying.
In October 2023, following the tragic murders, kidnappings, and rapes perpetrated by the Hamas terrorist group, joined by Hezbollah from southern Lebanon, we reported on the complications faced by commercial aviation in the region (see: Israel and the Middle East: An Eternally Unstable Region). After a year of conflict, we reported on the performance of the Israeli airline El Al (see: EL AL: A Year at War).
The so-called “12-Day War” in June 2025 further complicated air travel in the Middle East and was, as we now know, a prelude to the current conflict that began on February 28, 2026.
Greece and the Athenian Hub
Just over a month after the outbreak of war in the Middle East, Athens International Airport is among the airports in the region that have suffered a significant setback due to the closure of airspace in the conflict zone.
Overall, the impact on the European network has been considerable. Air traffic to and from the Middle East has fallen and is now 59% below pre-crisis levels, with around 800 daily flights (in both directions), a reduction of approximately 1,200 flights, according to new data from Eurocontrol.
Many flights have been diverted to avoid the conflict zone, while airspace restrictions have affected several European countries, airports, and airlines. Among them is Greece, and in particular its largest airport, officially named Eleftherios Venizelos.
According to the latest Eurocontrol report, Greece is among the 10 European markets showing the greatest decline in routes to and from the Middle East: it ranks seventh, with 26 daily departures up to February 27, a figure that dropped to 16 in March, a decrease of 38%. Athens International Airport handles the largest volume of flights from Greece to this region, and is therefore experiencing the most severe pressure. Its daily departures decreased from 23 to 14, a drop of 41%.
Cyprus
The country has been particularly affected, having suffered a direct attack on its territory, requiring the deployment of the Hellenic Air Force to the island.
Cyprus ranked eighth, with a drop from 24 to 14 flights, representing a decrease of 43%. Larnaca Airport registered a 35% decrease, falling from 18 to 12 daily departures.
Turkey also affected
The country most affected is Turkey, as it had the highest volume of flights to and from the Middle East. Its decline reaches 54%, with a decrease in departures from 179 to 82 per day.
At the top of the list is Istanbul, whose main airport, Atatürk, saw its flights to the Middle East plummet from 98 to 46 (a 53% decrease), and its secondary airport, Sabiha Gökçen, experienced an even steeper decline, from 43 to 15 flights (a 65% decrease). The United Kingdom follows from 89 to 41 (down 54%), Germany (down 78 to 45, down 42%), Italy (down 54 to 23, down 59%), and France (down 46 to 22, down 52%).
Jordan in the middle of the conflict
Jordan is in the path of many missiles from Iran destined for Israel. Close coordination between the airline, the Jordanian armed forces, military intelligence, and the Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission allows any Royal Jordanian flight in the air when missiles are detected to be diverted to safe areas until the danger has passed. All Royal Jordanian aircraft arriving in Jordan carry approximately one hour of additional fuel, enabling them to remain in a safe zone during the conflict.
As of March 26, 2026, 70% of Royal Jordanian’s network remains intact. Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and southern Syria remain closed, although flights from Amman, the Jordanian capital, to Aleppo in northern Syria continue, albeit with a long detour to avoid potentially hazardous airspace. Service in the Persian Gulf is intermittent.
Within Saudi Arabia itself, Royal Jordanian flights to Dammam, on the east coast, are sporadic, but flights to Riyadh are quite regular, and there are no problems to Jeddah.
Flights eastward to cities like Mumbai and Bangkok continue to operate, although they are initially heading south over central Saudi Arabia instead of following the usual route through the eastern part of the kingdom. Connections to Europe, Africa, and North America remain unaffected.
Defying Adversity
As is often the case during crises in the Middle East, air traffic from the West has experienced a significant drop. However, airlines in the region are determined to continue operating, as air connections are vital to the economic well-being of the Eastern Mediterranean countries.
