Air France suspended flights over the Red Sea after a crew reported seeing a "luminous object" at high altitude near Sudan on November 3, the airline said, as tensions in the region prompted heightened aviation safety measures.

"This decision follows a crew's observation of a luminous object at high altitude in the Sudan area," an Air France spokesperson said, calling the suspension a "precautionary measure" until further notice.

The airline did not specify the nature of the object online. Still, tensions remain high across the region of a potential response by Iran to strike Israel in the next few days following its hit on multiple locations across the Islamic Republic, which killed five people.

Several flights were affected, including flight AF934 from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Antananarivo, Madagascar, which returned to Paris about three hours after departure. Additional flights AF814 to Nairobi and associated return services AF935 and AF815 were postponed, with some rescheduled for November 4.

The incident comes amid increasing security concerns in the Red Sea region, where Houthi forces in Yemen have escalated attacks against maritime vessels and launched missiles toward Israel in recent months. Airlines operating in the area have been adjusting routes and enhancing safety protocols in response to the deteriorating security situation.

"Air France reminds that the safety of its customers and crews is its absolute imperative. The company is constantly monitoring developments in the geopolitical situation of the territories served and overflown by its aircraft," the spokesperson said.

Following the suspension, the airline's flights have been rerouted through Oman and Saudi Arabian airspace, according to FlightRadar24 data.

The diversions add approximately one hour to flight times and increase fuel consumption while many other flights have been rerouted over Iraq.

The Red Sea corridor is a crucial aviation route connecting Europe with East Africa and the Indian Ocean region.

Other international airlines, including American Airlines, have extended flight cancellations to Israel until September 2025, Haaretz reported.