Originally Posted by
fassy
True, no way to get to IKA any other way... And as German I'm allowed to say, our government seems to think the Mullahs are a real nice bunch anyways and kiss up to them whenever there is a chance, which involves flying a lot of engineering, bankers and government officials over there all the time to help them out. So, I guess the risk for LH is minimal. Iran would cut of their own lifeblood in form of Germoney coming in by that. I leave it at that trying to tip-toe around OMNI
OK, politics aside both Germany and Sweden have significant population that comes from Iran/former Persia that still stays in touch with their homeland generating a massive VFR traffic. As far as overflying Iranian airspace is concerned, its a significant piece of geography that cannot be avoided when flying to India, Southern China or S.E. Asia. The slots over Russia and China are extremely tight and expensive, so airlines make extensive use of the route south of the himalayas. This was done even during the peak of the Afghanistan conflict when everyone knew the cash paid for overflying was going to the Taliban regime. There was a report on how the ATC in Kabul was running the show without power and proper communication while the US & its allies were bombarding the country.
Oh and while BA is avoiding Iran, VS, a similar GB carrier, is merrily flying over Iran.