Egypt

Risk Level: Three - Caution

[ about risk levels ]
July 2025: The ceasefire between Israel and Iran has held so far. All airspace in the region has largely reopened, but the corridor between Israel and Iran remains high risk if the conflict resumes.

See OPSGROUP Briefing: Middle East airspace situation – June 2025



Prior to the June 2025 conflict between Israel and Iran, there had been no airspace warnings for Egypt for some time. The most recent official airspace warning was published by Germany for the Sinai region, advising against overflights below FL260 here due to anti-aviation and ground weaponry - but this warning was withdrawn at the end of 2024. The US and UK had similar warnings in place until they were rescinded in March 2022 and Sep 2024 respectively.

Major events:
June 2025: EASA issues CZIB warning of spillover risk in the airspace of Egypt and Saudi Arabia from the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Oct 2023: UK published Notams warning of increased risk over the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea due to the conflict in Israel/Gaza. Cruise missiles and drones launched from Yemen targeted Israel. Some shot down over the Red Sea, others landed on Egypt/Israel border. New Airspace Warning: The Red Sea, Nov 2023 (OPSGROUP article)
July 2019: British Airways suspends Cairo operations for one week due to security concerns.
Feb 2017: An SA-7 anti-aircraft missile tube was found less than a mile from HECA/Cairo airport.
Oct 2015: A Russian A321 was brought down over the Sinai peninsula by a bomb loaded at HESH/Sharm El Sheikh. The group claimed the IED was placed aboard the aircraft prior to departing HESH, raising concerns of potential insider threats at the airport.