Regional Airspace Turmoil Delays Return of Syrian Hajj Pilgrims
London- Syria postponed all scheduled flights returning Hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia on Monday after renewed hostilities between Iran and Israel disrupted regional air traffic, forcing hundreds of travelers to reroute through neighboring Jordan.
Syria’s Ministry of Awqaf said two aircraft carrying nearly 700 Syrian pilgrims from Madinah were diverted to Amman after airspace disruptions linked to the latest exchange of attacks between Iran and Israel.
The ministry said the passengers were transferred by bus from Jordan to Syria, with each vehicle carrying between 35 and 40 pilgrims destined for Damascus and Aleppo.
The disruption followed temporary airspace closures by both Syria and Iraq after Iran launched missiles toward Israel and Israel responded with airstrikes overnight. Iraqi authorities initially announced a 72-hour closure of national airspace on Sunday before later reopening it. Despite the reopening, several commercial flights across the region remained canceled.
The delays underscore the continuing impact of the regional conflict on civilian aviation networks across the Middle East, where airlines have repeatedly altered routes or suspended services because of security concerns.
Syrian authorities said approximately 24,500 Syrians participated in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah, which concluded in late May.
The first group of returning pilgrims arrived in Damascus last week aboard a Syrian Airlines flight from Jeddah carrying 134 passengers, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.
The conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States has increasingly affected regional transportation and aviation infrastructure, forcing airlines and authorities to adjust operations amid recurring missile, drone and airstrike activity across the Middle East.
