Air France is investigating an incident where Flight AF662 flew over Iraqi airspace as Iranian missiles were fired at Israel. The flight was already avoiding conflict zones and left Iraq just before the airspace was officially closed. The airline emphasized its priority on safety and the proactive measures taken in response to intelligence regarding the risk of missile attacks.
Air France has initiated an investigation regarding an incident in which one of its aircraft, Flight AF662, traversed Iraqi airspace while Iranian missiles intended for Israel were being launched. The incident occurred on October 1, coinciding with Iran’s missile strike, which it attributed to a retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah among others in Lebanon. Flight AF662 took off from Paris en route to Dubai and was over Iraqi territory at approximately 4:45 p.m. UTC (11:45 a.m. ET) when the missiles were launched. The airline confirmed that the flight exited Iraqi airspace shortly before 5:00 p.m. UTC (12:00 p.m. ET), while Iraqi authorities had not deemed that airspace unsafe until 5:56 p.m. UTC (12:56 p.m. ET). In a statement provided to CNN, Air France remarked on its proactive measures, stating, “Thanks to the information we gathered we were able to identify a forthcoming attack on Israel by Iran, involving the launch of ballistic missiles.” Consequently, the airline decided to stop all overflights in Iraqi airspace from 5:00 p.m. UTC onward without waiting for directives from Iraqi officials. The airline noted that its flights had already been avoiding airspace over Israel, Lebanon, and Iran, and that Flight AF662 was navigating through a specifically designated corridor used by multiple airlines for safety. Hours prior to the missile strikes, the White House reported suspicions of an impending Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel. Air France emphasized its commitment to monitoring geopolitical developments closely to guarantee the highest possible levels of safety and security for its passengers and crew. It stated, “the safety of its customers and crews is its top priority,” and clarified that several of its flights had been directed away from the region on the night of the attack. The incident is indicative of the continuing escalation in tensions within the Middle East, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned against an extended conflict with Hezbollah, even as Israel’s military campaign in Gaza continues.
The situation surrounding the incident involving Air France Flight AF662 is set against a backdrop of heightened military tensions in the Middle East. Iranian missile strikes on October 1 came as retaliation for recent conflicts involving Hezbollah and Israeli forces, concentrating attention on air travel safety in conflict-prone regions. Air France’s robust monitoring of geopolitical events underscores the airline industry’s increasing focus on security measures during times of international instability. The growing hostilities highlight the potential dangers faced by civilian air traffic in areas experiencing military operations.
The incident involving Air France Flight AF662 serves as a stark reminder of the perils facing air travel in regions affected by military conflicts. Air France’s swift actions in rerouting its flights and monitoring geopolitical developments exemplify its commitment to passenger safety, amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East and ongoing military actions involving Israel and Iranian forces.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
