EASA flight warnings for the Middle East remain active through June 10

EASA keeps Middle East airspace bulletin active through June 10

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency's Conflict Zone Information Bulletin for the Middle East and Persian Gulf remains in force under revision R11, valid until June 10, 2026 unless reviewed earlier. The bulletin tells airlines to avoid the airspace of Iran, Iraq and Lebanon at all altitudes and to exercise caution when flying over Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (Jeddah FIR) and the United Arab Emirates.

EASA first issued CZIB 2026-03 on Feb. 28 and has revised it repeatedly since, with the latest update published May 27. The guidance is advisory but carries weight for EU-regulated carriers and non-EU airlines holding Third Country Operator authorization, which must build the warnings into route planning, risk assessments and contingency plans.

Who feels it on the ground

The bulletin reaches travelers indirectly through longer routings, schedule changes and last-minute reroutes. Anyone flying between Europe and Asia, Africa or Oceania on paths that would normally cross the region is exposed, as are passengers connecting through Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh or Jeddah.

Expats based in the Gulf, Israel or Jordan may see reduced direct service from European carriers and need to connect via Istanbul, Cairo or European gateways. Digital nomads running visa-runs or positioning flights through regional hubs face higher fares, longer transit times and the risk of cancellations when EASA or local authorities tighten guidance on short notice.

Operators are also dealing with GPS interference and possible communication disruptions over the affected FIRs, which can drive further diversions.

What travelers can do now

There's no passenger-facing fee or filing tied to the bulletin. The practical steps are operational:

• Check airline rebooking and schedule-change policies before booking flights that cross the listed FIRs.
• Build buffer days into itineraries connecting through Gulf hubs, especially around visa expirations or onward bookings.
• Monitor carrier notices and national aviation authority updates, since revisions to the CZIB can land with little warning.
• Expect possible fuel surcharges or fare increases on Europe-Asia routes using longer detours.

Check our country guides for destination-specific details and our nomad news feed for further updates.