Following such decisions, the nation’s civil aviation authority issues notifications to the airlines.

Flights have been rereouted, redirected and cancelled to avoid Middle East airspace amid rising violence in the region.

“Airlines will plan based on the airspace available and then the most efficient routing, and if airspace is closed and the traditional flight paths are not available to them, they’ll plan elsewhere,” he said.

“But also, some airlines may have decided prior to that, to avoid the airspace … due to their own risk management.”

What does this mean for Australian travellers?

The war has also disrupted travel into the Middle East itself.

“So that will be an input cost that will no doubt be passed on to the travelling public.”

“So we are finding that, across the community, there is an increased level of anxiety and inquiry about what would happen.”

What should you do if you have a trip coming up?

Tonkin reassured that passengers on commercial flights should not worry about safety, as airlines are making “careful decisions” regarding flight pathways.

However, more aircraft taking different routes could lead to some congestion and disruption, he added.

“And be prepared for disruptions, because no doubt, there’ll be more change to come.”

“If you’re feeling uneasy about upcoming travel, remember that our priority is assisting those immediately affected, within the next 72 hours as we manage this situation,” he stated.