The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) has called for pilots to be granted an unequivocal and final authority to refuse flying over or within conflict zones, free from any commercial or external pressures. This stance was outlined in a position paper released on Monday, amid the ongoing six-week conflict in Iran that has significantly altered Middle Eastern airspace and increased flight disruptions due to missile and drone attacks.
IFALPA, headquartered in Montreal, emphasized that airlines must acknowledge the mental and emotional toll that operating in conflict zones imposes on flight crews. The organization stated that the decision made by the flight commander regarding flight conduct or rerouting, including the refusal to overfly dangerous areas, must be absolute and immune to financial incentives, career consequences, or commercial demands.
Despite many airlines suspending services to affected regions, Dubai-based Emirates continues to operate at approximately 69% of its usual capacity, while Qatar Airways functions at 26%, Flightradar24 data. This translates to hundreds of daily flights traversing airspace that has been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones. The United Arab Emirates has established designated “safe corridors” with specific flight paths; however, aircraft frequently enter holding patterns during attacks and are occasionally diverted or turned back when airspace is temporarily closed.
Qatar Airways reaffirmed its commitment to passenger and crew safety, noting that all flights to and from Doha are routed through dedicated corridors coordinated with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. Emirates, which also prioritizes safety, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The IFALPA paper further urged airlines to implement mitigation strategies for pilots operating in conflict zones, such as providing post-flight rest periods and confidential support services. It recommended that recurrent operational challenges—like rerouting, delays, holding patterns, increased workload, and diversions—be factored into scheduling, fatigue management, and crew rostering with additional safety margins, rather than treated as occasional exceptions.
In a related development, the United Nations aviation body condemned Iran for unlawful incursions into the airspace of Gulf countries including the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, which jeopardize civil aviation safety. The International Civil Aviation Organization’s governing council criticized Iran’s use of unmanned aerial vehicles for military attacks on civilian infrastructure within these states.
This condemnation follows a submission by several Arab nations highlighting Iran’s deployment of weaponized drones against its neighbors. Iran has submitted its own documentation concerning its airspace, which is scheduled for discussion in a future council session, though details remain undisclosed.
