A recent Flight Radar24 map showing global air traffic has gone viral for resembling a skull due to four large gaps in airspace—over Ukraine, the Middle East, Central Africa, and Tibet.
These gaps form what looks like two eye sockets, a nose, and a mouth, prompting users to comment on the eerie image.
Each void has real causes: Ukrainian airspace remains closed due to the ongoing war following Russia’s 2022 invasion;
Central Africa’s gap is due to conflicts in Sudan, Libya, and surrounding regions; parts of the Middle East are avoided because of rising tensions, especially after Israel’s recent strike on Iran;
and Tibet’s gap is due to its extreme altitude, making it risky for emergency descents. Though unsettling in appearance, the gaps reflect legitimate safety, conflict, and geographic concerns.