– BRUSSELS, Belgium
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued updated guidance urging European airlines to avoid several sensitive airspaces in the Middle East due to increased security risks stemming from the resumption of military hostilities between the United States and Iran.
The latest conflict zone advisories recommend that airlines refrain from operating over the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar at any altitude until at least July 29, 2026. High-risk advisories remain in place for the airspaces of Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon until August 31. These measures follow recent reviews of regional security conditions and reflect the current threat environment for civil aviation.
The warnings come after President Donald Trump formally notified Congress of the resumption of US military operations against Iran around July 7. This move followed Iranian ballistic missile attacks on US bases in Jordan and Bahrain, and came amid the collapse of a previous temporary ceasefire. Tensions in the region have escalated, prompting aviation authorities to strengthen precautions for commercial flights.
In response, several European airlines have canceled or suspended routes to the affected destinations and rerouted their long-haul flights to safer corridors. These decisions are causing significant schedule disruptions, longer flights, and operational difficulties, particularly on Europe-Asia and Europe-Persian Gulf routes, with some restrictions expected to remain in place for the next few months.
The situation remains fluid, and aviation authorities have pledged to regularly review the guidelines. Passengers planning to travel to or through the Middle East should contact their airlines for the latest flight information and any additional safety updates.