Why Airplanes Don't Fly Over Certain Countries

When you look at flight tracking maps and see passenger aircraft navigating across the globe, it is easy to assume that aircraft can go just about anywhere, but the skies are not as open as they seem. Simply put, the route you are flying on now may not be the same tomorrow.

Behind every route is a web of regulations, political tensions, and safety concerns that dictate where aircraft can — and cannot— fly. From active conflict zones to geopolitical disputes, there are specific reasons why airspace is closed and why pilots avoid certain countries or regions altogether.

Viral Tea gives a breakdown of the situations that lead to airspace restrictions and why avoiding certain areas is critical for airline safety and operations.

What Does It Mean When An Airspace Is “Closed”?

Airspace refers to the portion of the atmosphere controlled by a specific country. Countries manage their airspace up to 12 nautical miles (22.2 kilometres) off their coast, and they have the right to close it to certain or all aircraft at any time.

Photo of a passenger aircraft in flight. /ADOBE STOCK

When a country “closes” its airspace, it prohibits commercial, private, or military aircraft from flying over that region, either partially or entirely.

Closure can happen temporarily — for instance, during a state visit or a military exercise — or it can be long-term due to ongoing threats or diplomatic disputes. Airlines must constantly monitor and adjust their routes based on real-time updates from aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and in our case, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

1. Military Conflict and War Zones

One of the most common reasons for airspace closures is military conflict. War zones present significant threats to civil aviation, particularly from anti-aircraft weaponry, missile strikes, and uncoordinated military activity.

A tragic example is Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, which was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014 by a surface-to-air missile, killing all 298 people on board. At the time, fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists made the region extremely volatile, but airspace restrictions had not fully accounted for the elevated risk to commercial aircraft at cruising altitudes.

Since then, major aviation regulators have become more aggressive in issuing warnings or outright bans over conflict zones like Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan. Airlines now routinely reroute flights to avoid these regions, even if it adds hours to flight time, to ensure passenger safety.

2. Geopolitical Tensions and Sanctions

Politics also plays a huge role in shaping airspace access. Countries often deny entry to airlines from adversarial nations during periods of heightened diplomatic tension or as part of sanctions.

For instance, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 triggered a massive wave of reciprocal airspace bans. The European Union, the United States (US), Canada, and other allies banned Russian airlines from their airspace, and Moscow responded by banning Western carriers from flying over Russia. This forced long-haul routes between Europe and Asia to reroute drastically, costing airlines more in fuel and time.

Similarly, Israeli aircraft are barred from overflying many Middle Eastern countries, like Iran or Lebanon, due to longstanding hostilities. Airlines must carefully plan their paths to avoid entering restricted zones, even if it means longer journeys or higher costs.

3. Terrorist Threats or High-Risk Areas

Some regions pose non-military but still very serious security risks, such as terrorist groups operating near civilian airports or key infrastructure. The U.S. FAA often issues “Notices to Air Missions” (NOTAMs) warning about potential risks in these areas.

For example, Somalia, northern Mali, and parts of the Sahel region have been red-flagged due to terrorist activity near flight corridors or control centres. In such areas, even the risk of hijacking, GPS jamming, or attacks on radar installations can prompt authorities to block overflight.

These airspace bans or advisories aren’t always absolute — some airlines might be allowed to fly with special permissions or added security protocols — but many choose to avoid these regions entirely to minimise any chance of danger.

4. Nuclear Tests and Missile Launches

Missile tests and nuclear activity can also lead to temporary or partial airspace closures. When North Korea tests ballistic missiles, countries like Japan and South Korea often issue airspace warnings or reroute traffic to avoid the projected path.

The same goes for India and Pakistan, which have both conducted missile tests that resulted in restricted corridors or diverted flights. These closures are often coordinated in advance, but not always, which raises risks. Airlines stay alert for real-time updates to NOTAMs that might impact their flight paths.

5. Volcanic Eruptions and Natural Disasters

Sometimes nature closes the skies. Volcanic ash is a serious threat to aircraft because it can damage engines, obscure visibility, and interfere with avionics. The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland grounded flights across much of Europe for almost a week, costing the industry billions.

When volcanoes erupt in places like Indonesia, Chile, or the Philippines, aviation authorities immediately assess ash cloud movement and issue airspace restrictions. Airlines also coordinate with Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAACs) to stay clear of contaminated zones.

Earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, and severe storms can also cause temporary airspace closures, especially if airport operations are affected or ATC (Air Traffic Control) infrastructure is compromised.

6. Presidential or VIP Movement

For security reasons, many countries close down airspace — sometimes just a few square kilometres— during the movement of heads of state or high-ranking officials. These are called Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in the U.S.

For example, when Air Force One is airborne, portions of U.S. airspace are closed to civilian traffic. Similar procedures happen during events like the G20 Summit, UN General Assembly, or royal visits. Even though it is short-term, these closures require careful planning and coordination from airlines and private jet operators.

7. Airspace Capacity or ATC Failure

Sometimes, closures are not about danger but logistics. If an Air Traffic Control (ATC) system fails, authorities may shut down airspace temporarily to prevent accidents. This happened in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, when a software glitch caused nationwide flight disruptions.

Similarly, when airspace gets too crowded, such as during major storms or high-traffic holidays, regulators may impose flow control measures or even pause new entries into certain zones to avoid mid-air congestion.

Why Planes Avoid Certain Countries or Regions (Even If They’re Technically Open)

In some cases, countries do not officially close their airspace, but airlines choose to avoid them anyway. This is called operator discretion, and it is based on a mix of risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and public relations.

A prime example is North Korea. While its airspace is technically open, most airlines won’t fly over due to unpredictable missile tests and poor communication infrastructure.

Another is Iran, which has technically functional airspace but has seen incidents like the 2020 downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, mistakenly shot down by an Iranian missile. After that, many airlines started avoiding Iranian airspace out of caution.

Even China, which offers viable corridors across its vast territory, is sometimes avoided by Western airlines due to military activity and tight restrictions on foreign carriers.

Airlines also factor in fuel costs, rerouting expenses, and the availability of emergency landing airports when deciding to fly over a region. If a country has no safe diversion airports or lacks search-and-rescue capabilities, that airspace may be seen as too risky.

So next time you're flying and notice the plane taking a long detour, remember — those empty skies you’re avoiding might not be so peaceful after all.