Iran partially reopens airspace for overflights after ceasefire with Israel
Iran has partially reopened its airspace to international overflights following a ceasefire agreement with Israel that ended 12 days of intense conflict. The country's Ministry of Roads and Urban Development announced on Saturday that central and western air corridors are now open for international transit flights after comprehensive safety and security assessments conducted by the Civil Aviation Organization (CAO)."In addition to the eastern half of the country's airspace being available for domestic, international and overflight operations, the airspace over the central and western parts of the country has now also been opened only for international overflights," said Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, in a statement quoted by IRNA and reported by AFP.advertisementWhile this marks a key step toward restoring regional air traffic, restrictions remain in place. Flights to and from airports in the northern, southern, and western regions of Iran, including Tehran's major hubs, Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini International Airports, are still suspended until further notice. These airspace areas will remain closed at least until 14:00 local time (10:30 GMT), the CAO confirmed.
The announcement follows the earlier reopening of Iran's eastern airspace on Wednesday for both domestic and international flights, including overflights. Operational airports now include Mashhad, reportedly targeted during the Israeli strikes, and Chabahar in the southeast.Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for the Roads and Urban Development Ministry, emphasized that while the eastern, central, and western skies are now accessible for overflight operations, the public should avoid traveling to airports within the restricted zones. He urged residents and travelers to stay updated through official government channels.Iran had fully closed its airspace on June 13 in response to a wave of Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other areas, followed by retaliatory missile launches. The closure disrupted several key air corridors linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.The reopening of selected airspace sectors is expected to relieve pressure on global flight routes, particularly those essential for long-haul travel between European and Asian destinations.- EndsWith inputs from AFPTune InMust Watch
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