EASA Reinforces Middle East Airspace Warning for Airlines as US-Iran Tensions Grow
Heightened Airspace Restrictions Amid Escalating US-Iran Conflict
EASA Issues Updated Advisory for Middle East Airlines
July 14 (Reuters) - The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Tuesday reinstated and toughened its warning to airlines operating in the Middle East, telling them to avoid the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and over the Gulf of Oman as the U.S.-Iran war flared up again.
Previous Advisory and Temporary Easing
Just a week ago, EASA withdrew its previous advisory following a brief easing of regional tensions as a result of last month's interim ceasefire between Tehran and Washington. That warning had asked airlines to exercise caution when operating within the airspace of these countries, as well as Israel, Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
Duration and Scope of the New Advisory
The new, more restrictive advisory is valid until July 29.
Recent Military Actions Impacting Airspace Safety
Iranian Missile Strikes and US Response
Iran fired ballistic missiles at a U.S. air base in Jordan on Tuesday, while U.S. forces launched waves of attacks for the third successive night after Iran said on Saturday it was closing the Strait of Hormuz. This move prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to reinstate a blockade of Iranian shipping and propose a 20% fee to guard the vital waterway.
Risks to Civil Aviation
"The presence of major US military facilities in the region increases the likelihood that the states covered by this Conflict Zone Information Bulletin may be directly exposed to Iranian missile and drone attacks," EASA said, citing also the risk of misidentification of civil aircraft by U.S. and other air defence systems.
Additional EASA Advisories
Extended Restrictions for Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon
Separately, EASA's advisory asking airlines not to operate within the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon was extended last week until the end of August.
(Reporting by Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Joe Bavier and Andrei Khalip)
