How Passenger Flights Are Managed During Wartime
Photo credit, Getty Images
In the past 15 days, drones have been active in Iran and the Gulf airspace, prompting air traffic controllers to guide passenger planes safely through narrow and secure air corridors away from conflict zones.
Flight tracker maps clearly reveal how busy the skies over Egypt and Georgia have become.
Air traffic controllers monitor different sections of these maps to identify which aircraft are adhering to their assigned routes and which have deviated.
Under normal conditions, one controller can manage six aircraft simultaneously; however, during wartime, the number of planes requiring attention can double.
“Our brains can sustain this level of intense focus only for about 20 to 30 minutes,” explains retired air traffic controller Brian Roth.
Brian Roth has spent 18 years working in conflict zones. He served in the Royal Air Force across various countries before taking charge of the emergency support unit for passenger flights in London.
Photo credit, FlightRadar24
During peak flight periods, sufficient controllers are deployed and rotated frequently to reduce work stress.
Controllers typically work 40 to 50 minutes per shift followed by 20 to 30 minutes of rest; the same schedule is maintained even in wartime.
“So far, controllers have been managing an exceptional workload with extraordinary shifts,” he adds.
In 2014, Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was downed by a Russian-made missile over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers aboard. This tragedy highlighted how conflicts can force passenger planes to alter their routes.
At that time, the conflict in Ukraine was not as intense, but the war was already expanding and numerous military aircraft had already been lost in the preceding months. Such scenarios must be prevented elsewhere.
Last week, a U.S. refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq, resulting in the deaths of six crew members.
This aircraft was involved in a U.S. attack on Iran and was the second aircraft to be struck in such an operation. Another plane landed safely, and Central Command clarified that the crash was not due to an attack.
When airspace is closed or restricted, controllers query pilots about their destination and fuel levels before providing details on suitable alternate airports.
Photo credit, AFP
Controllers maintain safe distances between aircraft, ensuring proper spacing both horizontally and vertically. Large passenger planes can cause turbulence and disrupt nearby smaller aircraft.
Therefore, smaller jets are kept clear of routes used by bigger airplanes.
John, a pilot with 20 years of experience flying in the Middle East, explains that sudden airspace closures are rare. He prefers to keep his real name confidential.
He adds that airlines usually avoid entering unstable airspace unless unavoidable due to warfare or severe weather.
“We all knew something was happening in the Middle East; we just weren’t sure when it would begin,” John says.
When flying over conflict zones, pilots choose alternative routes and carry extra fuel so they can return or land safely at airports beyond their intended destination if necessary.
“It is a very standard, organized, and well-trained process,” John emphasizes. Both controllers and pilots strive hard to navigate through busy airspace.
According to John, crew members and passengers are also informed about potential risks during such flights.
Another crew member, Han, who works on long-haul flights, also spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid representing her employer.
Han stated that frequent flights through the Middle East make her team’s role especially important during wartime, particularly when passengers are anxious.
“There is a misconception that our job is only to inquire about meals,” she explains.
“Many fail to realize that our duties also include ensuring safety and security beyond normal service expectations.”
Han mentioned that tilted aircraft affect the balance among pilots and the crew.
When Iran’s airspace is closed, one aircraft has already made the decision to divert to another airport and land safely.
She considers her responsibility as part of the ground crew’s duty.
“As cabin crew, we feel like members of one family,” she says. “Our wings bind us together in the same place.”