Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following a suspected Israeli airstrike on Iran’s embassy in Syria and Iran’s vow to retaliate, Lufthansa has announced the extension of its suspension of flights to Tehran.
The German airline, Lufthansa, cited the volatile situation in the region as the reason for prolonging the suspension, which was initially prompted by concerns over potential Iranian retaliation.
While an Iranian news agency briefly reported the closure of Tehran’s airspace for military drills before retracting the statement, the heightened alert status in the region has kept both Lufthansa and its subsidiary, Austrian Airlines, on high alert.
Lufthansa’s decision to extend the suspension until April 13 comes in light of the ongoing tensions, with a spokesperson noting the avoidance of overnight layovers in Tehran for crew members as a precautionary measure.
Austrian Airlines, also owned by Lufthansa, continues to adjust its flight schedules to Tehran to avoid overnight stays, maintaining six weekly flights from Vienna.
As the only two Western carriers serving Tehran, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines’ actions reflect the cautious approach adopted by international airlines amid the uncertain situation in the region. Meanwhile, other airlines operating in the area are closely monitoring developments to ensure the safety of their operations.