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War and geopolitics in the skies: The 12-day Iran-Israel conflict versus airspace safety

Author

Listed:
  • Saed, Mohamed Ben
  • Omar, Abdusalam Faraj Ben
  • Attia, Ghazallah

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of geopolitical conflict on airspace safety, using the twelve-day Iran-Israel conflict in June 2025 as a central case study. Drawing from international relations and international law theory, this paper studies how political decision-making, legal frameworks, and strategic military operations converge to shape the safety and airspace governance. Despite growing threats to air traffic safety in conflict zones, there remains a significant gap in the literature that integrates international law, political ambition, and aviation regulation into a single analytical framework. To address this gap, this study employs a novel qualitative methodology that combines theoretical insights from international law and politics with real-world evidence, including military deployments, using Abbott's framework of international relations and international law. This article applies qualitative analysis of state actions, politicians' behaviors, and geopolitical strategies, supported by secondary data from international news outlets.

Suggested Citation

  • Saed, Mohamed Ben & Omar, Abdusalam Faraj Ben & Attia, Ghazallah, 2026. "War and geopolitics in the skies: The 12-day Iran-Israel conflict versus airspace safety," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:179:y:2026:i:c:s0967070x25005293
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2025.103986
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frédéric Dobruszkes & Didier Peeters, 2019. "The magnitude of detours faced by commercial flights: A global assessment," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/293811, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
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    1. Kachalia, Muhammad Anas & Audi, Marc & Ali, Amjad, 2026. "Geopolitical Conflict and Financial Market Reactions: Evidence from the 2026 US–Israel–Iran Crisis," MPRA Paper 129143, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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