"The main hazards for civil aviation in the Gulf affecting the airspace of more than a dozen countries are not the hundreds of retaliatory ballistic missiles and drones that have been launched by Iran, although they certainly pose a risk. The more dire threat is the heat-seeking air defences of countries swept into the conflict."
"Air defence batteries brought down three U.S. F-15 fighter jets in Kuwait on Monday in what appeared to be a case of friendly fire. It was another reminder that when missiles and combat aircraft start flying, air defence crews can react without properly verifying their target."
"In a region that has seen tragic mistakes resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilian air passengers, decisions on whether to fly remain fairly ad hoc and can come down to the judgment of an individual pilot."
A vast airspace spanning approximately 2,500 by 2,000 kilometres centered on Iran has become largely inaccessible to commercial aviation due to ongoing military conflict involving U.S. and Israeli bombardment. While ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran present hazards, the primary danger to civil aircraft comes from heat-seeking air defense systems operated by countries involved in the conflict. Air traffic has shifted to distant airports in Dubai and Oman, while closer facilities like Kuwait City remain inactive. Historical precedents, including the 1988 downing of Iran Air Flight 655 and the 2020 destruction of Ukraine International Airlines PS752, demonstrate the catastrophic consequences of air defense misidentification. Flight operations decisions remain largely discretionary, dependent on individual pilot judgment rather than standardized protocols.
#aviation-safety #middle-east-conflict #air-defense-systems #evacuation-operations #civilian-flight-risk
Read at www.cbc.ca
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