The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has narrowed its conflict-zone guidance for the Gulf, telling airlines to avoid mainly the waters of the Persian Gulf within Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates rather than those countries’ entire airspace. The revised advisory, which remains in force until 30 September, also keeps restrictions on Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, while preserving limited access for Beirut flights that begin or end over the sea.
The update restores some route-planning flexibility for carriers operating into and out of the Gulf, but EASA still treats the region as a risk area and can review the recommendation earlier if conditions change. For Lebanon, the guidance continues to warn against operations in Lebanese airspace, reflecting the agency’s assessment of ongoing security concerns.
Reuters described the move as a revision to existing conflict-zone advice rather than a response to a new incident, and Aerotelegraph reported the same change, including the continued exception for Beirut arrivals and departures linked to sea approaches. The separate bulletins for Iran, Iraq and Lebanon remain active through the end of September.