EASA Advises Airlines to Avoid Gulf State Airspace

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a high-risk advisory on July 14 recommending that airlines avoid the airspace of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, as well as the western Gulf of Oman. The guidance, which remains valid until July 29, follows a series of high-intensity military attacks and ceasefire violations between the United States and Iran.

The agency warns that continued military activity involving missiles and drones increases the risk of civilian aircraft being misidentified or caught in combat operations. While the bulletin is a recommendation rather than a binding ban, most European carriers and national authorities typically comply with such advisories.

These restrictions are forcing long-haul flights to reroute over Africa, Saudi Arabia, or Central Asia. This shift in flight paths is expected to result in longer travel times and increased fuel costs for airlines.