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Airlines urged to avoid Gulf airspace as US-Iran tensions threaten travel recovery

Middle East
Dea Jusufi
16 July 2026

Europe's aviation safety regulator has extended its recommendation that airlines avoid large areas of Gulf airspace, citing a "high risk" to civil aviation as the US-Iran war continues despite an earlier ceasefire agreement.

Royal Jordanian Airbus A320-200 taking off from Hamad International Airport Doha Qatar . stock photo
Hasan Zaidi/iStock

Heightened air-defence activity raises the risk of civil aircraft being misidentified or caught up in military operations, according to EASA

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has renewed its Conflict Zone Information Bulletin, advising operators not to fly at any altitude through the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as parts of the Gulf of Oman.

The bulletin, issued on 14 July and valid until 29 July – unless reviewed earlier – applies to EU airlines and third-country carriers operating services to, from and within the EU.

EASA said the recommendation follows a renewed deterioration in the regional security situation after repeated violations of a ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran.