Australia: Qantas airlines reroutes flights over Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman June 21

Event

Qantas airlines announced on Friday, June 21, that it will reroute its flight operations to avoid the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman for an indefinite period, after the Iranian military shot down a US drone in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, June 20. Associated flight disruptions, including delays and cancelations, are possible.

Context

The decision comes following an emergency order issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on June 20, restricting all US operators from flying in Iranian-controlled airspace over the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. FAA officials issued the order after the Iranian military shot down a US drone in the Strait of Hormuz with a surface-to-air missile.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have increased since May 2018, as President Donald Trump announced the US will leave the 2015 nuclear deal and decided reimpose sanctions on Iran's economy. Iran has been threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, a major energy waterway and the only sea route in and out of the Gulf, in response to the renewed sanctions.

Recent attacks targeting oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz, on June 13, were attributed to Iran by the US, further increasing tensions between the two countries.

Advice

Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor developments to the situation and to contact their airline for additional information.