SARAJEVO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Air Navigation Services Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHANSA) said on Saturday it is prepared for all scenarios following airspace closures in parts of the Middle East amid escalating security tensions.
Due to the sudden deterioration of the security situation in Iran and the broader Middle East, and the subsequent closure of airspaces in Israel, Iran, Iraq, Syria and other states, European crisis coordination for air traffic has been activated, BHANSA said in a press release. According to network analysis estimates, more than 1,100 flights have been affected.
Several international airlines, including Aegean, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Iberia, LOT, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Scandinavian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin, Qatar Airways and Wizz Air, have temporarily suspended or canceled operations to destinations such as Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Dubai and Israel in line with their operational plans.
Part of the traffic is expected to be rerouted via alternative corridors through Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Cyprus, Turkey and Southeastern Europe. A slight increase in transit traffic through the South-East Axis, including the airspace of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is possible.
BHANSA Director Davorin Primorac said the agency is closely monitoring developments and stands ready to adjust operational capacities to ensure safety, stability and fluidity of air traffic.
