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Airline pilots fear retribution over refusing to fly in Middle East, aviators’ group says

A view of oil production field in Duhok, Iraq on March 02, 2025. Via Ismael Adnan Yaqoob/ Reuters

MONTREAL/NEW DELHI, April 10 (Reuters) – Airline pilots who have safety concerns about flying in the Middle East during the Iran war have told a global aviators’ ‌union group they fear blowback ranging from lost pay to being fired if they refuse assignments, its president Ron Hay said.

Pilots from Lebanon to India have voiced “widespread” concerns they could face sanctions if they do not fly in often unpredictable conditions where airspace can close with little notice due to missile or drone strikes, according to the head of the International Federation of Air Line Pilot’ ​Associations.

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