EU reinstates Middle East flights warning as fighting resumes
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has reinstated and toughened its Middle East flights advisory, telling carriers to avoid the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, plus the Gulf of Oman, through July 29 as U.S.-Iran fighting resumes and missile threats rise. The move reverses a softer stance EASA took only a week earlier, when it withdrew a broader caution after a brief easing of tensions.
Key Takeaways
- EASA now tells airlines to avoid Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE airspace and the Gulf of Oman until July 29.
- The agency cites Iranian missile and drone risks near major U.S. military facilities, plus misidentification hazards from air defenses.
- Separate advice to avoid Iran, Iraq and Lebanon airspace remains in force through the end of August.
- UAE carriers keep most international flights running, while many foreign airlines extend Dubai and Abu Dhabi suspensions into autumn.
According to Reuters, the new Conflict Zone Information Bulletin is more restrictive than the prior note, which had urged caution over those Gulf states as well as Israel, Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Why did EASA reinstate the flights warning?
Fighting between the United States and Iran flared again after a short-lived interim ceasefire. Iran fired ballistic missiles at a U.S. air base in Jordan, while U.S. forces launched attacks for a third successive night after Tehran said it was closing the Strait of Hormuz.
EASA said the presence of major U.S. military facilities raises the chance that covered states could face Iranian missile and drone attacks. It also flagged the risk that civil aircraft could be misidentified by U.S. and other air-defence systems.
Which airline flights are still disrupted?
Disruption continues even as some services restart. Arab News reported that Aegean Airlines canceled Dubai flights until August 31, while Lufthansa and SWISS suspended Dubai services until September 13. British Airways aims to resume Dubai flights on October 25, with Air Canada, airBaltic, ITA Airways and Singapore Airlines also extending suspensions through October 24.
Newswire, citing Arabian Business, said UAE carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia continue most of their international networks. No nationwide commercial suspension has been imposed in the UAE, though changes affect specific destinations such as Bahrain and Abha.
Foreign carriers' caution tracks EASA guidance advising European operators to avoid parts of Gulf airspace because of missile and drone activity.
How long will the flights advisory last?
The tougher Gulf advisory is valid until July 29 unless updated sooner. EASA's separate bulletin telling airlines not to operate in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon airspace was extended last week until the end of August.
Travelers should check directly with airlines, as schedules keep shifting with security assessments. For more regional and industry updates, see BlasterPost's Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage.