By Micah Jonah
January 15, 2026
Iran has reopened its airspace after a temporary closure that lasted nearly five hours, forcing airlines to reroute, delay or cancel multiple international flights amid rising regional tensions.
The brief shutdown followed growing concerns over possible military action involving the United States and Iran. During the closure, only a limited number of flights with special permission were allowed to operate, according to aviation authorities.
Flight tracking data later showed several Iranian carrier flights were among the first to resume after restrictions were lifted, signaling a gradual return to normal air traffic over the country.
The incident affected major international airlines, including carriers from India, Russia and parts of Europe. Some flights were diverted mid journey, while others were delayed or canceled due to uncertainty over safe routes.
Airlines operating in the Middle East have increasingly adjusted schedules in recent days, avoiding certain air corridors considered high risk because of the possibility of missile or drone activity in the wider region.
The United States already restricts its commercial aircraft from flying over Iranian airspace, and there are no direct passenger flights between both countries.
Several international carriers have reduced services to Iran, while others are using longer alternative routes, leading to increased flight times and higher operational costs.
Aviation safety groups have warned that escalating political and military tensions raise serious risks for civilian air traffic, urging airlines to maintain extreme caution when planning routes through sensitive regions.
Iranian authorities have not announced any new restrictions since reopening the airspace, but airlines continue to monitor the situation closely as diplomatic and security developments unfold.
