EASA bans flights over Gulf states amid renewed US-Iran hostilities

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has mandated airlines under its jurisdiction to avoid operating within the airspace of several Gulf states including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. This directive was issued on July 14, 2026, in response to renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran that have sharply elevated risks for civil aviation in the region. The ban extends to all altitudes and flight levels and applies through July 29 unless the agency rescinds it earlier.

Alongside the specified Gulf states, EASA's Conflict Zone Information Bulletin also encompasses the airspace over the Gulf of Oman within the Muscat Flight Information Region west of 58 degrees east longitude. The advisory affects airlines regulated by EASA and foreign operators flying to, from, or within the European Union who operate under EASA authorization. Although individual nations control their own airspace, this guidance effectively limits many aviation corridors for these carriers across this volatile region.

The agency cited multiple breaches of a US-Iran ceasefire accord as key contributors to the deteriorating security environment in the Gulf. It highlighted Iran’s intensified attempts to dominate the Strait of Hormuz, along with attacks on commercial shipping vessels and the subsequent American military responses, all of which have increased the threat to civil aviation. EASA specifically pointed to the presence of major U.S. military installations within the Gulf states, which may serve as targets for Iranian missile and drone strikes.

Missile and drone operations pose significant hazards including the risk of debris falling into adjacent airspace. Furthermore, the presence of active U.S. and allied regional air defense systems raises concerns over the possible misidentification of civilian aircraft as military threats. EASA underscored that the unpredictable nature of these military developments, including missile launches, combat aircraft activity, and complex air defense systems, presents a high risk for civil flights traversing the affected airspace.

This latest warning comes fewer than seven days after EASA allowed a broader conflict zone bulletin covering the Middle East and Persian Gulf region to expire, following a perceived short-term easing of tensions. The previous, wider advisory was replaced on July 8 with a lower level information note, although existing restrictions remained in place for Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon. However, the security situation worsened once again soon after.

On July 14, Iran launched ballistic missiles at a U.S. air base located in Jordan, prompting the U.S. military to conduct three consecutive nights of offensive operations in retaliation. The escalation also included Iranian moves to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments, further compounding the risks to civil aviation in the region.

EASA urges airlines to vigilantly track developments concerning regional airspace and to comply with notices issued by national aviation authorities. It also reinforces that separate advisories restricting flight operations within the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon will remain effective through August 31. The agency’s warnings highlight the ongoing volatility that continues to challenge aviation safety across the geopolitically sensitive Gulf and surrounding areas.