United Arab Emirates
Risk Level: Three - Caution
[ about risk levels ]
March 2026: UAE airspace partially reopened following large-scale US and Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets beginning Feb 28 and subsequent Iranian retaliation across the region. The central Middle East corridor remains closed, and access to the OMAE/Emirates FIR is tightly restricted.
See OPSGROUP Briefing: Middle East airspace situation - March 2026
The primary risk is missile and drone activity linked to the Iran conflict, as well as defensive air defence activity. Debris from intercepted drones has already fallen in Abu Dhabi during the current escalation. GNSS interference including possible spoofing and jamming has also been reported across the FIR.
Major events:
March 2026: UAE airspace partially reopened under strict waypoint corridors following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliation across the region.
March 2026: Debris from intercepted drones fell in Abu Dhabi causing injuries and damage.
Feb 2022: Multiple Houthi drone and missile attacks targeting Abu Dhabi.
See OPSGROUP Briefing: Middle East airspace situation - March 2026
The primary risk is missile and drone activity linked to the Iran conflict, as well as defensive air defence activity. Debris from intercepted drones has already fallen in Abu Dhabi during the current escalation. GNSS interference including possible spoofing and jamming has also been reported across the FIR.
Major events:
March 2026: UAE airspace partially reopened under strict waypoint corridors following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliation across the region.
March 2026: Debris from intercepted drones fell in Abu Dhabi causing injuries and damage.
Feb 2022: Multiple Houthi drone and missile attacks targeting Abu Dhabi.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Notam LFFF F0572/26 | 27 Mar 2026 | 10 Apr 2026 | |
| EASA | CZIB 2026-03-R5 | 28 Feb 2026 | 10 Apr 2026 |
Source: France
Reference: Notam LFFF F0572/26
Issued: 27-Mar-26, valid until: 10 Apr 2026
Plain English: French operators should not enter the airspace of UAE.
F0572/26 NOTAMR F0482/26
Q) LFXX/QXXXX/I/BO/E/000/999/4412N00040E460
A) LFBB LFEE LFFF LFMM LFRR B) 2603271318 C) 2604102359
E) FRENCH AIR CARRIERS AND CAPTAINS OF AIRCRAFT IN CHARGE OF AIR SERVICES OPERATED BY CARRIERS HOLDING AN OPERATING LICENSE ISSUED BY FRANCE, WHETHER THEY ARE CONTRACTUAL CARRIERS AND/OR OPERATING CARRIERS, OR PERFORMING AIR SERVICES THROUGH A WET LEASE OR A CODESHARE AGREEMENT AS WELL AS FOR ANY FLIGHT MADE WITH AN AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN FRANCE ARE REQUESTED NOT TO PENETRATE INTO THE ENTIRE AIRSPACE OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (FIR EMIRATES (OMAE
Q) LFXX/QXXXX/I/BO/E/000/999/4412N00040E460
A) LFBB LFEE LFFF LFMM LFRR B) 2603271318 C) 2604102359
E) FRENCH AIR CARRIERS AND CAPTAINS OF AIRCRAFT IN CHARGE OF AIR SERVICES OPERATED BY CARRIERS HOLDING AN OPERATING LICENSE ISSUED BY FRANCE, WHETHER THEY ARE CONTRACTUAL CARRIERS AND/OR OPERATING CARRIERS, OR PERFORMING AIR SERVICES THROUGH A WET LEASE OR A CODESHARE AGREEMENT AS WELL AS FOR ANY FLIGHT MADE WITH AN AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN FRANCE ARE REQUESTED NOT TO PENETRATE INTO THE ENTIRE AIRSPACE OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (FIR EMIRATES (OMAE
Source: EASA
Reference: CZIB 2026-03-R5
Issued: 28-Feb-26, valid until: 10 Apr 2026
Plain English: Operators should avoid airspace of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Exception: southern Saudi and Oman airspace permitted only at FL320 or above (as per this map).
This CZIB is issued based on information currently available to EASA, the European Commission and Member States in order to share information which is considered necessary to ensure the safety of flights over zones of interest and indicate areas of high risk.
On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel conducted military strikes targeting sites within Iranian territory. In response, Iran has carried out retaliatory attacks.
Given the ongoing military intervention and Iranian strikes, there are additional high risks not only to the airspace of Iran but also to that of neighbouring States hosting U.S. military bases or otherwise affected by the hostilities and associated military activities, including interceptions.
The possession of all-altitude capable air-defence systems, cruise and ballistic missiles and the use of air assets capable to operate at all-altitudes, including interception capability make the entire affected airspace vulnerable to spill-over risks, misidentification, miscalculation and failure of interception procedures.
Iranian retaliatory attacks have, so far, primarily targeted the eastern parts of Saudi Arabia, while the airspace of Oman has, to date, been subject to a relatively limited level of kinetic activity, impacting primarily low and medium flight altitudes. Therefore, varying levels of risk exist across FIR Jeddah and FIR Muscat.
EASA, together with the Commission and Member States, will continue to closely monitor the situation, with a view to assess whether there is an increase or decrease of the risk for EU aircraft operators due to the evolution of the threat and risk situation.
Air operators should:
1. Not operate within the affected airspace at all flight levels and altitudes, with the exception specified in point 2 below.
2. Not operate below FL 320 within the airspace of Saudi Arabia and Oman located South of the segments defined by the following compulsory reporting points, respecting the sequence below:
- OBSOT 295451N373455E
- DANOM 225454N450509E
- KEDON 200516N555850E
- VELOD 234617N573430E
3. Implement a robust monitoring process and up to date risk assessment when intending to operate within the airspace specified in point 2 above.
4. Closely monitor airspace developments in the region and follow all available aeronautical publications concerning the region, including information shared through the European Information Sharing and Cooperation Platform on Conflict Zones, alongside available guidance or direction from their national authorities.
On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel conducted military strikes targeting sites within Iranian territory. In response, Iran has carried out retaliatory attacks.
Given the ongoing military intervention and Iranian strikes, there are additional high risks not only to the airspace of Iran but also to that of neighbouring States hosting U.S. military bases or otherwise affected by the hostilities and associated military activities, including interceptions.
The possession of all-altitude capable air-defence systems, cruise and ballistic missiles and the use of air assets capable to operate at all-altitudes, including interception capability make the entire affected airspace vulnerable to spill-over risks, misidentification, miscalculation and failure of interception procedures.
Iranian retaliatory attacks have, so far, primarily targeted the eastern parts of Saudi Arabia, while the airspace of Oman has, to date, been subject to a relatively limited level of kinetic activity, impacting primarily low and medium flight altitudes. Therefore, varying levels of risk exist across FIR Jeddah and FIR Muscat.
EASA, together with the Commission and Member States, will continue to closely monitor the situation, with a view to assess whether there is an increase or decrease of the risk for EU aircraft operators due to the evolution of the threat and risk situation.
Air operators should:
1. Not operate within the affected airspace at all flight levels and altitudes, with the exception specified in point 2 below.
2. Not operate below FL 320 within the airspace of Saudi Arabia and Oman located South of the segments defined by the following compulsory reporting points, respecting the sequence below:
- OBSOT 295451N373455E
- DANOM 225454N450509E
- KEDON 200516N555850E
- VELOD 234617N573430E
3. Implement a robust monitoring process and up to date risk assessment when intending to operate within the airspace specified in point 2 above.
4. Closely monitor airspace developments in the region and follow all available aeronautical publications concerning the region, including information shared through the European Information Sharing and Cooperation Platform on Conflict Zones, alongside available guidance or direction from their national authorities.