International airlines continued avoiding large parts of the Middle East on June 22 following American bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, with airspace closures costing the region more than $5mn daily in lost overflight fees and increased operational costs.

Data from the International Air Transport Association and national aviation authorities showed Iran, which previously earned nearly $800mn annually in overflight fees, is now losing an estimated $2.2mn each day following the closure of its airspace to most commercial flights.

Iraq faces daily losses of approximately $820,000, with similar restrictions affecting key east-west flight corridors, local sources reported on June 21.

Airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways and Air India have been forced to reroute flights, leading to longer journey times and higher fuel consumption.

The United Arab Emirates is incurring additional costs of around $410,000 per day, whilst Qatar faces daily expenses of about $329,000, according to airline industry sources.

FlightRadar24 said on X that "following US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, commercial traffic in the region is operating as it has since new airspace restrictions were put into place last week."

Airlines are avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria and Israel, choosing alternative routes such as north via the Caspian Sea or south through Egypt and Saudi Arabia, even if this increases fuel, crew and flight time costs.

Saudi Arabia has seen a doubling of overflight traffic, with daily movements rising from 700 to 1,400.

This has resulted in increased revenue from overflight fees, estimated at a net gain of $270,000 each day, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation reported on June 18.

Egypt has reported a rise in overflight revenue as airlines reroute through its airspace, with daily gains of about $137,000.

Indian carriers, including Air India, have reported significant financial impact, with rerouting costs estimated at more than $1.6mn per day, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India.

The International Air Transport Association stated on June 21 that Middle East airspace closures have forced airlines to cancel or reroute more than 1,800 flights to and from Europe since restrictions began.