The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised European airlines to avoid flying over large parts of the Gulf after renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran sharply increased risks to civil aviation.
The agency on Tuesday issued a new Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB-2026-07), recommending that operators avoid the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf of Oman until at least July 29, citing a heightened threat from military activity.
The latest advisory marks a significant tightening of EASA's position after it had eased restrictions only last week, when a temporary reduction in regional tensions prompted the agency to replace its broader conflict zone bulletin with a lower-level Information Note for several Gulf states while maintaining strict warnings against flying over Iran, Iraq and Lebanon.
Why the advice
According to EASA, the deteriorating security environment has increased the risk of missile or drone attacks and the possibility of civilian aircraft being misidentified during military operations. The presence of major US military installations across the Gulf further raises the potential threat to commercial aviation.
The renewed warning follows an escalation in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran, including continued US strikes on Iranian targets, Iranian military action and growing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Who the advice applies
EASA's advisory applies to European air operators and recommends avoiding the affected airspace unless operators can demonstrate through their own risk assessments that flights can be conducted safely. The bulletin is not a mandatory airspace closure but serves as a strong safety recommendation that many European carriers typically follow.
The agency had said on July 8 that an overall reduction in short-term tensions allowed it to withdraw its previous Middle East and Persian Gulf conflict zone bulletin, replacing it with an Information Note describing "residual medium-level risks" while retaining separate high-risk advisories for Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. It also stressed that it would continue to monitor developments and reintroduce stricter measures if the security situation deteriorated.
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