A crucial flight corridor for airlines is diminishing as the conflict in Iran expands. Since Saturday, when the US and Israel conducted strikes against Iran, airlines have been unable to use the Persian Gulf, a previously primary route. This has led to rerouting through Saudi Arabia or the Caucasus region, which includes Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.
On Thursday, Azerbaijan's foreign ministry reported that Iranian drones attacked the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an exclave north of Iran. One drone damaged the terminal at Nakhchivan Airport, and another fell near a school, injuring two civilians. Consequently, Azerbaijan closed the southern sector of its airspace.
This closure further reduces the available space for flights between Europe and Asia.
Most airlines have avoided Russian airspace since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Caucasus region itself has its own historical tensions, including Azerbaijan's 2023 military action against Nagorno-Karabakh.
Following the drone attack, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan held a phone call, emphasizing the importance of sustainable peace between their nations and discussing matters of mutual interest.