Rising tensions between Israel, Iran and Hezbollah have led to flight cancellations and route changes across the Middle East, according to aviation authorities and flight tracking data.

The heightened alert follows Israel's recent strike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. Tehran has vowed to avenge Haniyeh's death, but eight days later, no direct confrontation has appeared between Tehran and Tel Aviv. 

Following the killings, the UK issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning pilots to avoid Beirut airspace from August 7 to November 4 due to potential escalations between Israel and Hezbollah.

Egypt has directed its airlines to avoid Iranian airspace during specific hours due to Iranian military exercises, Arabic-language Sky News reported.

Several airlines continue to operate in Israeli airspace, including Virgin Atlantic, Wizzair, Air France, Emirates, and FlyDubai.

Flight paths provided by Flightradar24 show UAE-destined flights from Emirates and FlyDubai continuing to fly over Iran, along with Turkish Airways.

At Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, Pegasus, Emirates, and Qatar Airways remain operational.

In Lebanon, while Virgin Atlantic has a flight scheduled to London, it is being operated by Lebanon's Middle East Airlines. Flights by Air France, Czech Airlines, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, and Saudia are also being operated by Middle East Airlines, indicating widespread avoidance of Lebanese airspace by both Western and Middle Eastern carriers.

In some cases, flights passing through the region appear to be avoiding Iranian, Syrian and Lebanese airspace, whilst Iraq has seen an uptick in their flights over recent hours with a new flight corridor opening up over the country towards Turkey and south to the Persian Gulf.

Further south, Qatar Airways flight QTR003 to London cut through Saudi and Egyptian airspace before flying over the Mediterranean Sea to Greece and continuing to London through Europe, Flightradar24 showed.

Some flights remain undeterred by the rising tensions. Flightradar24 showed Etihad Airways flight EY1 from Abu Dhabi to New York continuing on its usual path through Iran.

Hundreds of Israeli travellers have been stranded at Prague airport for up to three days after an operator of Arkia Israeli Airlines cancelled services due to security concerns in Israel, passengers and the airline said on August 2.

About 400 Israelis have been waiting at the airport, with some sleeping on the floor, as Arkia struggles to find alternative arrangements to bring them home.

That incident highlights broader disruptions to air travel as foreign airlines cancel or reduce flights to Israel amid heightened regional tensions following assassinations reportedly carried out by Israel in Beirut and Tehran.