Iran Closes Airspace to Commercial Flights for Five Hours

Iran's airspace was unexpectedly closed to most commercial flights for nearly five hours this morning, Thursday, January 15, 2026. The sudden move, implemented without widespread prior notice, resulted in Iran's busy air corridors appearing completely empty of aircraft on flight tracking maps.

According to official aviation data, the restriction began at 02:15 UAE time on Thursday and lasted until approximately 07:00. During this period, the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), closing the country's airspace to all flights, with the exception of specific international flights that received emergency entry or exit permits.

Flightradar24, a website that tracks global air traffic, published images showing Iran's skies almost entirely devoid of transit flights during those hours.

International transit flights, including those operated by Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Air India, were forced to reroute and fly over neighboring countries such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, or Azerbaijan.

Data indicated that an Aeroflot flight en route to Tehran from Moscow was forced to turn around mid-flight and return to its origin.

Following the lifting of the restrictions at 07:00, the first aircraft observed on radar over Iran belonged to domestic carriers Mahan Air and Yazd Air.

News sources have attributed the decision to "security protocols" stemming from increased regional tensions and the potential for military action. Aviation security websites have warned that the current situation may increase the risk of misidentification of civilian aircraft.

The short-term disruption caused delays and cancellations to some flights, particularly on European and Asian routes. Regional airlines, including flydubai and Turkish Airlines, have also made adjustments to their schedules in recent days. The situation has now returned to normal, but passengers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.