EASA has updated its conflict-zone guidance for the Gulf, keeping flights to and from major hub airports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait permissible while urging operators to avoid airspace over parts of the Persian Gulf waters in the FIRs of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE until 30 September 2026. The advisory applies to operators using aircraft on routes through the region and requires current risk assessments and mitigation measures for arrivals and departures at affected aerodromes.
The guidance does not amount to a blanket ban or an airspace closure, but it can force rerouting and longer journey times depending on each carrier’s risk controls. EASA’s latest update reflects elevated security concerns in the region and keeps the decision framework with airlines and operators rather than imposing a full prohibition on Gulf services.
For carriers serving the region’s hub airports, the practical effect is operational flexibility combined with tighter scrutiny of routing choices. Flights needed for arrivals or departures at aerodromes within the affected FIRs may continue where mitigation is considered sufficient, preserving access to key commercial gateways while limiting exposure to the higher-risk airspace over the Gulf waters.