Dhaka, June 22 -- Leading carriers of the world diverted their flights yesterday to avoid Iranian-controlled airspace over the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, following a US aviation regulator's emergency order barring the airlines from flying over the area.

The emergency order from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on June 20 came after Iran shot down a high-altitude US drone with a surface-to-air missile, sparking concerns about a threat to the safety of commercial airlines.

Hence, Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Australia's Qantas Airways, Germany's Lufthansa, British Airways and KLM of the Netherlands said they were re-routing flights to avoid the area.

The downing of the unarmed Global Hawk ...