Iran-US spat leaves Mideast airlines encircled by hostile skies

Airlines in the Middle East are used to avoiding trouble spots, but airspace closures spurred by mounting tension between Iran and the US mean they now face diversions whether flying north, south, east or west. Conflicts in the region had left a legacy of no-fly zones long before the latest flare-up between Washington and Tehran. Restrictions imposed by the US FAA and followed by most carriers worldwide after Iran’s destruction of an American drone, mean airspace above the Strait of Hormuz is also out of bounds. While better known as a shipping route, the corridor also provides the fastest aerial link between the Persian Gulf to parts of south Asia. The restrictions are more than just an irritation. Diversions can add thousands of miles and several hours to journeys, deterring passengers and swelling fuel bills. <br/>