Air traffic disrupted in Asian nations amid US-Israeli, Iranian airstrikes across Middle East

By Sidrah Roghay and Ahmed Adil

KARACHI, Pakistan / NEW DELHI (AA) - Air travel across the Asia-Pacific region faced widespread disruptions Sunday after Iran launched missiles across the Middle East in retaliation for strikes by the US and Israel.

Tehran said the US-Israeli attacks killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials on Saturday.

Airlines across Asia reported cancellations, diversions and stranded passengers as airspace closures spread across the Middle East.

In India, authorities canceled about 350 flights and issued an advisory for seafarers due to the escalating regional situation.

Hundreds of passengers crowded departure counters at Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday seeking information about suspended flights, particularly routes to Riyadh, Doha and Dubai, according to South China Morning Post.

Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific suspended all passenger and cargo flights to and from the Middle East on Saturday following airspace closures after the strikes.

Japan is considering evacuating its citizens from Israel as early as Tuesday, the Kyodo news agency reported. They will reportedly be relocated to Jordan.

In Pakistan, Pakistan International Airlines said it suspended flights to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar until further notice, while rerouting Saudi-bound flights to avoid conflict zones.

Malaysia Airlines extended the suspension of flights to Doha, Jeddah and Madinah until March 4, Malaysia’s state news agency Bernama reported.

In Australia, stranded travelers spent Saturday night at Sydney Airport as cancellations mounted, ABC News reported. Virgin Australia said seven flights operated by Qatar Airways were canceled Sunday, with five more cancellations expected Monday.

- Fresh travel advisory

Governments in several Asian countries also warned citizens about travel risks as thousands of expats from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal work in the Middle East.

Pakistan advised its citizens in the Gulf nations to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

Indonesia urged citizens planning to perform the Umrah pilgrimage to delay travel, Antara News Agency reported.

Nepal suspended issuing labor permits for Nepali migrant workers traveling to 12 countries in the Gulf and Middle East nations.

A ministerial-level decision has barred us from issuing labor permits to countries of the Middle East,” said Mira Acharya, director general at the Department of Foreign Employment.

Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry said airspace closures disrupted travel for migrant workers headed to the Middle East and that authorities were assisting stranded passengers at airports.

The disruptions come after the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets early Saturday and Iranian retaliation with strikes targeting US-linked bases in the Middle East.

The attacks came as talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program had been ongoing under Oman’s mediation.

Israel also initiated a 12-day war on Iran last June, with the US joining later and bombing three Iranian nuclear sites.

*Bhadra Sharma contributed to this story from Nepal