US strikes on Iran add to global travel disruptions and flight cancellations
Following unprecedented bombings ordered by President Donald Trump on three Iranian nuclear and military sites over the weekend, Iran on Monday launched a missile attack on US forces at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base. Qatar had closed its airspace just hours earlier, after both the U.S. and U.K. also urged their citizens to shelter in place there.
The region has been on edge following the weekend strikes from the US — and since Israel began the war with a surprise bombardment on Iran, which has responded with its own missile and drone strikes, earlier this month.
As deadly attacks escalated between Israel and Iran over recent weeks, sections of airspace and airports throughout the region have temporarily closed. And airlines cancelled more flights in recent days, with some halting select routes through the middle of the week — particularly in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, just across the Persian Gulf from Iran.
Singapore Airlines, for example, canceled some flights to and from Dubai starting Sunday and through Wednesday, citing 'a security assessment of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.' And British Airways has similarly suspended flights to and from Doha through Wednesday.
'Safety is always our highest priority,' British Airlines said in a statement confirming its cancellations to The Associated Press, adding that it 'will keep the situation under review.'
Air India on Monday announced it was ceasing 'all operations to the region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe' immediately until further notice. The airline, which is still reeling from a plane crash that killed at least 270 people earlier this month, added that India-bound flights from North America were being diverted or re-routed away from closed airspaces.
Air tracking data from FlightAware showed 705 cancellations worldwide as of Monday afternoon. Dubai International Airport topped the list with 75 cancellations in and out of the airport as of around 5 p.m. ET. And Air India had had the highest amount of cancellations among carriers, totaling 38 as of 5 p.m. ET.
Such disruptions have snarled travel, particularly as central hubs in the Middle East often connect flights worldwide — but experts stress that these kind of airspace closures and flight diversions are critical to ensuring safety, especially if future escalation emerges suddenly.
'It is the responsibility of states, countries to ensure that their airspace is safe for passage of aircraft,' Hassan Shahidi, president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation. He added that on Monday 'the Qataris did the absolutely right thing to close their airspace because of the threat of conflict.'
Beyond Qatari airspace, Flightradar24 reported that UAE airspace was also closed on Monday. After several hours of diversions, flights appeared to be landing and taking off in the country again.
Monday marks the latest 'dramatic increase' in this kind of impact, said Ian Petchenik, director of communications at Flightradar24. And while the future is unknown, he added that it's important to remember airspace closures and flight cancellations reflect that 'airlines, air traffic controllers and flight crews are doing their best to keep everybody safe.'
Shahidi adds that it's important for travelers to monitor government guidance — such as safety notices from the US State Department.
How long the war lasts and what, if any, future escalation comes next could carry more widespread implications. Beyond disrupting global flight networks farther down the road, Shahidi stresses that it's very difficult for people who may need or want to evacuate countries impacted by the war to do so without access to commercial flights.
At the same time, he adds, it's critical that state authorities focus on keeping their skies safe — pointing to past tragedies of passenger flights that were shot down by strikes. That includes Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was shot down by Russian-backed forces while flying over Ukraine in 2014, killing 298 people.
'We are all praying and urging resolution to this conflict — and especially as it relates to protection of civilian air travel," Shahidi said. "We do not want to have an MH17, with innocent lives being lost in a missile strike ... We do not want to repeat that history.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
a few seconds ago
- Economic Times
Nifty just in pause mode, all-time high possible before Diwali: Rahul Ghose
Markets extended their losing streak for the third consecutive week, with investor sentiment remaining subdued due to a lackluster start to the earnings season and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the US-India trade to the previous week, the benchmark indices showed some strength during the initial three sessions. However, the mood shifted in the latter half, leading both the Nifty and Sensex to end near their weekly lows at 24,968.40 and 81,757.73, respectively. Analyst Rahul Ghose, Founder and CEO, Octanom Tech and interacted with ET Markets regarding the outlook on Nifty and Bank Nifty for the upcoming week. Following are the edited excerpts from his chat: How are you reading the markets right now? Right now, Indian markets are taking a much-needed breather. After a strong run earlier in the year, we've hit a consolidation phase—Nifty and Sensex have been under pressure for a few weeks in a row. There's definitely a sense of caution out there, partly because of mixed global signals and Q1 earnings being in focus. I'd say investors are taking stock and waiting to see which way the wind blows before making big moves. Make no mistake though, that the August month is going to see some big moves in the market in either direction. Are there any global factors that you see that can affect our markets?Definitely—global cues are a big part of the story at the moment. First, persistent FII outflows are weighing on sentiment; foreign investors are pulling back as US rates stay higher for longer, making developed markets a bit more attractive than emerging ones like India for we can't ignore geopolitical tensions and how they've pushed up crude oil prices. Since India is a big importer, that's an immediate worry for both inflation and the rupee. And then there's the recent wave of trade protectionism—we've seen new tariffs and measures from the US and EU, which isn't great news for Indian exporters. All in all, the external environment is a bit choppy. What's your take on the broader Nifty trend, with the index ending lower for the third straight week? The Nifty's certainly feeling the heat after its blistering rally earlier in the year. If you look at the charts, the index is at an inflection point: there's firm resistance at the 25,300 mark and support near the 24500-24800 band. For now, it looks like a consolidation phase, not a reversal. The long-term bullish story remains intact, and I would stick my neck out and say that before Diwali, we might see the Nifty move to all-time high levels; it's just the near term that can see volatile moves. Bank Nifty seemed stronger—how does it look now? Bank Nifty has been the surprising pocket of strength—it's held up better than broader indices so far and has been attracting buyers on dips. Right now, though, it's also showing signs of consolidation. Financial stocks are in a wait-and-watch mode with Q1 results coming in. I'd say Bank Nifty is still on a stronger footing, especially compared to sectors facing margin or demand pressures. Any specific strategies for Nifty and Bank Nifty traders? For Nifty, my advice would be to watch for confirmed breakouts or breakdowns and avoid getting caught in the chop. If we break above 25,255 decisively, there could be quick upside—but keep tight stop-losses at 25,000, as volatility remains Bank Nifty, buying on dips near 56,800–57,000 seems sensible, since the index is drawing buying interest at those levels. But be nimble; set clear exit points because sentiment can change quickly if results underwhelm. FIIs remain net sellers. What do you make of this, and how dependent is the market on FIIs now? Yes, FII outflows are back in focus—over Rs 90,000 crore has left Indian equities this year, and July alone saw a sharp exodus. This is really about global risk-reward equations changing, not anything fundamentally wrong with India. Higher US yields and stretched valuations here mean foreign money is seeking other said, India isn't as dependent on foreign flows as it once was. Domestic investors—both institutional and retail—are much more active and have been buyers on every dip. So, while FIIs can amplify short-term moves, domestic participation is giving our market a lot more resilience. Where did you see a long buildup? What do you recommend among those stocks? We're seeing long positions being built in names like Tata Consumer, Tata Steel, Hindalco, Trent, and M&M—sectors where earnings visibility is strong and thematic tailwinds exist. Out of these, I particularly like Tata Consumer and Trent for accumulation; both have good momentum and structural growth stories. And what about shorting opportunities? Short buildups have shown up in Tech Mahindra, IndusInd Bank, Infosys, SBI Life, and Wipro—mainly IT and a few financials hurt by guidance trims and margin pressure. These could be tactical short candidates, but my advice is to stay nimble here, as oversold bounces are also likely. Let's also discuss Q1 earnings. How has the season turned out so far? Q1 numbers are a bit of a mixed bag. The headline Nifty 50 net profit growth—over 33% YoY—is impressive, but most of that came from margin expansion in consumer and retail names, and a few standout quarters in metals. IT and some global cyclicals have been softer, which is why the market tone is more cautious. What's your view on RIL and Axis Bank after Q1 results? Reliance had a blockbuster quarter, driven by a huge jump in profits from telecom and retail. The Jio 5G rollout and robust retail segment are big positives. The Asian Paints stake sale also gave them a healthy one-off Bank delivered on the operating front, with stable core growth and healthy other income. While the headline profit was down YoY—mainly from base effect and some provisioning—the underlying business looks steady and the outlook remains constructive. How do you see HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank placed now? Both are in a strong spot, barring some short-term volatility. Their loan growth remains robust, digital initiatives are paying off, and asset quality is stable. They're both still 'core portfolio' names for most investors, and any meaningful corrections are likely to draw buyers quickly. Are any sectors outperforming? Yes, consumer durables have been a clear standout—profit growth has exploded, and demand trends look solid. Metals have rebounded thanks to commodity price cycles, and realty stocks are holding up well thanks to strong housing and telecom are also shining, with leaders consolidating market share and improving margins. Can you name any stocks within those sectors? In consumer durables, Titan and Voltas look good. Among metals, Tata Steel and Hindalco are my preferred picks. On the retail side, Trent and DMart are doing everything right, and in telecom, I like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel for steady subscriber and revenue growth. Technically too the chart patterns in these suggest buy on dips. Note: In case any specific security/securities are displayed in the responses as examples, these securities are quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
Time of India
a few seconds ago
- Time of India
Japan sees bright future for ultra-thin, flexible solar panels
Japan is heavily investing in a new kind of ultra-thin, flexible solar panel that it hopes will help it meet renewable energy goals while challenging China's dominance of the sector. Pliable perovskite panels are perfect for mountainous Japan, with its shortage of flat plots for traditional solar farms, and a key component of the panels is iodine, something Japan produces more of than any country but Chile. The push faces some obstacles: perovskite panels contain toxic lead, and, for now, produce less power and have shorter lifespans than their silicon counterparts. Still, with a goal of net-zero by 2050 and a desire to break China's solar supremacy, perovskite cells are "our best card to achieve both decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness," minister of industry Yoji Muto said in November. "We need to succeed in their implementation in society at all costs," he said. The government is offering generous incentives to get industry on board, including a 157-billion-yen ($1 billion) subsidy to plastic maker Sekisui Chemical for a factory to produce enough perovskite solar panels to generate 100 megawatts by 2027, enough to power 30,000 households. By 2040, Japan wants to install enough perovskite panels to generate 20 gigawatts of electricity, equivalent to adding about 20 nuclear reactors. That should help Japan's target to have renewable energy cover up to 50 percent of electricity demand by 2040. Breaking the silicon ceiling The nation is looking to solar power, including perovskite and silicon-based solar cells, to cover up to 29 percent of all electricity demand by that time, a sharp rise from 9.8 percent in 2023. "To increase the amount of renewable energy and achieve carbon neutrality , I think we will have to mobilise all the technologies available," said Hiroshi Segawa, a specialist in next-generation solar technology at the University of Tokyo . "Perovskite solar panels can be built domestically, from the raw materials to production to installation. In that sense, they could significantly contribute to things like energy security and economic security," he told AFP. Tokyo wants to avoid a repeat of the past boom and bust of the Japanese solar business. In the early 2000s, Japanese-made silicon solar panels accounted for almost half the global market. Now, China controls more than 80 percent of the global solar supply chain , from the production of key raw material to assembling modules. Silicon solar panels are made of thin wafers that are processed into cells that generate electricity. They must be protected by reinforced glass sheets and metal frames, making the final products heavy and cumbersome. Perovskite solar cells, however, are created by printing or painting ingredients such as iodine and lead onto surfaces like film or sheet glass. The final product can be just a millimetre thick and a tenth the weight of a conventional silicon solar cell. Perovskite panels' malleability means they can be installed on uneven and curved surfaces, a key feature in Japan, where 70 percent of the country is mountainous. Generating where power is used The panels are already being incorporated into several projects, including a 46-storey Tokyo building to be completed by 2028. The southwestern city of Fukuoka has also said it wants to cover a domed baseball stadium with perovskite panels. And major electronics brand Panasonic is working on integrating perovskite into windowpanes. "What if all of these windows had solar cells integrated in them?" said Yukihiro Kaneko, general manager of Panasonic's perovskite PV development department, gesturing to the glass-covered high-rise buildings surrounding the firm's Tokyo office. That would allow power to be generated where it is used, and reduce the burden on the national grid, Kaneko added. For all the enthusiasm, perovskite panels remain far from mass production. They are less efficient than their silicon counterparts, and have a lifespan of just a decade, compared to 30 years for conventional units. The toxic lead they contain also means they need careful disposal after use. However, the technology is advancing fast. Some prototypes can perform nearly as powerfully as silicon panels and their durability is expected to reach 20 years soon. University professor Segawa believes Japan could have a capacity of 40 gigawatts from perovskite by 2040, while the technology could also speed up renewable uptake elsewhere. "We should not think of it as either silicon or perovskite. We should look at how we can maximise our ability to utilise renewable energy," Segawa said. "If Japan could show a good model, I think it can be brought overseas."
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
Nifty just in pause mode, all-time high possible before Diwali: Rahul Ghose
Markets extended their losing streak for the third consecutive week, with investor sentiment remaining subdued due to a lackluster start to the earnings season and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the US-India trade deal. Similar to the previous week, the benchmark indices showed some strength during the initial three sessions. However, the mood shifted in the latter half, leading both the Nifty and Sensex to end near their weekly lows at 24,968.40 and 81,757.73, respectively. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Operations Management PGDM Others Technology Data Analytics CXO Digital Marketing MBA Healthcare healthcare Finance Data Science Product Management Degree Project Management Public Policy MCA Leadership Management Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence others Design Thinking Data Science Skills you'll gain: Quality Management & Lean Six Sigma Analytical Tools Supply Chain Management & Strategies Service Operations Management Duration: 10 Months IIM Lucknow IIML Executive Programme in Strategic Operations Management & Supply Chain Analytics Starts on Jan 27, 2024 Get Details Analyst Rahul Ghose, Founder and CEO, Octanom Tech and , interacted with ET Markets regarding the outlook on Nifty and Bank Nifty for the upcoming week. Following are the edited excerpts from his chat: How are you reading the markets right now? Right now, Indian markets are taking a much-needed breather. After a strong run earlier in the year, we've hit a consolidation phase—Nifty and Sensex have been under pressure for a few weeks in a row. There's definitely a sense of caution out there, partly because of mixed global signals and Q1 earnings being in focus. I'd say investors are taking stock and waiting to see which way the wind blows before making big moves. Make no mistake though, that the August month is going to see some big moves in the market in either direction. Are there any global factors that you see that can affect our markets? Definitely—global cues are a big part of the story at the moment. First, persistent FII outflows are weighing on sentiment; foreign investors are pulling back as US rates stay higher for longer, making developed markets a bit more attractive than emerging ones like India for now. Also, we can't ignore geopolitical tensions and how they've pushed up crude oil prices. Since India is a big importer, that's an immediate worry for both inflation and the rupee. And then there's the recent wave of trade protectionism—we've seen new tariffs and measures from the US and EU, which isn't great news for Indian exporters. All in all, the external environment is a bit choppy. What's your take on the broader Nifty trend, with the index ending lower for the third straight week? The Nifty's certainly feeling the heat after its blistering rally earlier in the year. If you look at the charts, the index is at an inflection point: there's firm resistance at the 25,300 mark and support near the 24500-24800 band. For now, it looks like a consolidation phase, not a reversal. The long-term bullish story remains intact, and I would stick my neck out and say that before Diwali, we might see the Nifty move to all-time high levels; it's just the near term that can see volatile moves. Bank Nifty seemed stronger—how does it look now? Bank Nifty has been the surprising pocket of strength—it's held up better than broader indices so far and has been attracting buyers on dips. Right now, though, it's also showing signs of consolidation. Financial stocks are in a wait-and-watch mode with Q1 results coming in. I'd say Bank Nifty is still on a stronger footing, especially compared to sectors facing margin or demand pressures. Any specific strategies for Nifty and Bank Nifty traders? For Nifty, my advice would be to watch for confirmed breakouts or breakdowns and avoid getting caught in the chop. If we break above 25,255 decisively, there could be quick upside—but keep tight stop-losses at 25,000, as volatility remains high. For Bank Nifty, buying on dips near 56,800–57,000 seems sensible, since the index is drawing buying interest at those levels. But be nimble; set clear exit points because sentiment can change quickly if results underwhelm. FIIs remain net sellers. What do you make of this, and how dependent is the market on FIIs now? Yes, FII outflows are back in focus—over Rs 90,000 crore has left Indian equities this year, and July alone saw a sharp exodus. This is really about global risk-reward equations changing, not anything fundamentally wrong with India. Higher US yields and stretched valuations here mean foreign money is seeking other avenues. That said, India isn't as dependent on foreign flows as it once was. Domestic investors—both institutional and retail—are much more active and have been buyers on every dip. So, while FIIs can amplify short-term moves, domestic participation is giving our market a lot more resilience. Where did you see a long buildup? What do you recommend among those stocks? We're seeing long positions being built in names like Tata Consumer, Tata Steel , Hindalco, Trent, and M&M—sectors where earnings visibility is strong and thematic tailwinds exist. Out of these, I particularly like Tata Consumer and Trent for accumulation; both have good momentum and structural growth stories. And what about shorting opportunities? Short buildups have shown up in Tech Mahindra , IndusInd Bank, Infosys, SBI Life, and Wipro—mainly IT and a few financials hurt by guidance trims and margin pressure. These could be tactical short candidates, but my advice is to stay nimble here, as oversold bounces are also likely. Let's also discuss Q1 earnings. How has the season turned out so far? Q1 numbers are a bit of a mixed bag. The headline Nifty 50 net profit growth—over 33% YoY—is impressive, but most of that came from margin expansion in consumer and retail names, and a few standout quarters in metals. IT and some global cyclicals have been softer, which is why the market tone is more cautious. What's your view on RIL and Axis Bank after Q1 results? Reliance had a blockbuster quarter, driven by a huge jump in profits from telecom and retail. The Jio 5G rollout and robust retail segment are big positives. The Asian Paints stake sale also gave them a healthy one-off boost. Axis Bank delivered on the operating front, with stable core growth and healthy other income. While the headline profit was down YoY—mainly from base effect and some provisioning—the underlying business looks steady and the outlook remains constructive. How do you see HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank placed now? Both are in a strong spot, barring some short-term volatility. Their loan growth remains robust, digital initiatives are paying off, and asset quality is stable. They're both still 'core portfolio' names for most investors, and any meaningful corrections are likely to draw buyers quickly. Are any sectors outperforming? Yes, consumer durables have been a clear standout—profit growth has exploded, and demand trends look solid. Metals have rebounded thanks to commodity price cycles, and realty stocks are holding up well thanks to strong housing demand. Retail and telecom are also shining, with leaders consolidating market share and improving margins. Can you name any stocks within those sectors? In consumer durables, Titan and Voltas look good. Among metals, Tata Steel and Hindalco are my preferred picks. On the retail side, Trent and DMart are doing everything right, and in telecom, I like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel for steady subscriber and revenue growth. Technically too the chart patterns in these suggest buy on dips. Note: In case any specific security/securities are displayed in the responses as examples, these securities are quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Economic Times )
