A drone attack on Azerbaijan has forced European airlines to reroute thousands of flights through a 50-mile corridor between Europe and Asia. The southern airspace closure, which Azerbaijan blames on Iran, has created a major bottleneck for carriers already struggling with Middle Eastern conflicts and Russian airspace bans. Industry experts warn that further airspace restrictions could force airlines to turn away passengers.

Western airlines, barred from Russian airspace unlike their Chinese counterparts, face mounting pressure to maintain viable east-west routes. The attack has compounded existing challenges from closures in Iran, Iraq, and Qatar, which have already added time and cost to Asian flights. Virgin Atlantic warned that flights to India and the Maldives would take longer but assured passengers that aircraft carry sufficient fuel.

If Azerbaijan's northern airspace also shuts, airlines may need to route flights thousands of miles around the Gulf, potentially exceeding some aircraft's range limits. Aviation consultant Andrew Charlton noted that the Qantas London-Sydney flight and other ultra-long-haul services could be particularly affected. Airlines might need to limit passenger numbers to ensure aircraft can complete their journeys, with some already suspending popular services connecting through Doha.