Airlines are being squeezed into this sliver of sky to avoid closed airspace

"Flightradar24 shows flights are being funneled into narrow corridors around the Middle East, or forced into longer detours over Saudi Arabia and other regions - adding hours of flight time, higher fuel and labor costs, and operational complexity."

"The Caucasus region offers not only the most efficient routing around now-closed airspace - it's also the only option for many global carriers. To the north is Russia, which remains blocked to most Western airlines amid ongoing sanctions and reciprocal airspace restrictions."

"The narrow corridor can be like threading a needle, spanning just 100 miles between Russia and Iran at its narrowest point, according to Google Maps. Without it, airlines unfriendly with Russia would be forced to take significantly longer, more costly detours via Saudi Arabia."

Multiple Middle Eastern countries remain closed or partially closed due to missile barrages, forcing international airlines into severely limited flight paths. Russian airspace remains blocked to Western carriers since 2022. Airlines are funneled into narrow corridors around the Middle East or forced into longer detours over Saudi Arabia, increasing flight times, fuel costs, and labor expenses. The Caucasus corridor spanning Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan has become critical infrastructure linking Europe and Asia. This route, spanning just 100 miles between Russia and Iran at its narrowest point, represents the only viable option for many global carriers. Airlines like Finnair and British Airways have added up to four extra hours on Asia routes due to these restrictions.

Read at Business Insider