United Arab Emirates
Risk Level: Three - Caution
[ about risk levels ]
June 2026: The ceasefire has reduced concerns about further missile attacks and sudden airspace closures in the Gulf. UAE airspace (the OMAE/Emirates FIR) is open again, but routing restrictions remain in place and traffic continues to use managed corridors linking Saudi Arabia and Oman.
See OPSGROUP Briefing: Middle East airspace situation - 2026
The primary risk is missile and drone activity linked to the Iran conflict. Debris from intercepted drones has already fallen in Abu Dhabi during the current escalation, and GPS spoofing has been reported across the FIR. There have been no significant downgrades to recent airspace warnings.
Major events:
Feb-June 2026: UAE airspace closed and reopened several times during the Iran conflict. The OMAE/Emirates FIR remains subject to routing restrictions and managed waypoint corridors.
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 - 2026
The primary risk is missile and drone activity linked to the Iran conflict. Debris from intercepted drones has already fallen in Abu Dhabi during the current escalation, and GPS spoofing has been reported across the FIR. There have been no significant downgrades to recent airspace warnings.
Major events:
Feb-June 2026: UAE airspace closed and reopened several times during the Iran conflict. The OMAE/Emirates FIR remains subject to routing restrictions and managed waypoint corridors.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EASA | CZIB 2026-07 | 14 Jul 2026 | 29 Jul 2026 | |
| France | Notam LFFF F1456/26 | 01 Jul 2026 | 26 Aug 2026 |
Source: EASA
Reference: CZIB 2026-07
Issued: 14-Jul-26, valid until: 29 Jul 2026
Plain English: Operators should avoid Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE airspace, plus the Gulf of Oman within the Muscat FIR west of 58 degrees east.
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.
Following the military conflict between the United States and Iran, a temporary ceasefire was initially announced on 8 April 2026 and remained in effect until 17 June 2026, when both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding extending it for a further 60 days. However, its implementation has been subject to recurrent and significant violations, creating again, a high level of risk across the Gulf region.
Iranian efforts to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, recurrent attacks against commercial vessels, and related US military actions create high risks for the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as for the airspace over the waters in the Gulf of Oman west of longitude 58°E.
The presence of major US military facilities in the region increases the likelihood that the States covered by this CZIB may be directly exposed to Iranian missile and drone attacks. The surrounding maritime airspace may also be affected by missile or drone overflights, interception activity, falling debris and the wider consequences of regional military escalation.
The heightened readiness and activation of national and US air-defence systems increase the risk of misidentification, unintended engagement and collateral effects affecting civil aircraft. Military activity may occur with little or no warning in confined airspace, significantly reducing the time available to aircraft operators and air navigation service providers to mitigate exposure through tactical rerouting or timely airspace management measures.
Regional authorities have implemented temporary airspace closures and restrictions at different stages of the conflict. However, the unpredictable nature and rapid evolution of military activity may challenge the timely and effective implementation of such measures.
Unpredictable military developments, combined with the possible use of missiles, drones, combat aircraft and air-defence systems, create a high risk to civil flights at all altitudes and flight levels within the concerned airspace.
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.
Recommendation(s)
Air operators should:
1. Not operate within the airspace of Bahrain (Bahrain FIR – OBBB), Kuwait (Kuwait FIR – OKAC), Qatar (Doha FIR – OTDF), the United Arab Emirates (Emirates FIR – OMAE), and the airspace over the waters of the Gulf of Oman within the FIR Muscat (OOMM) west of longitude 58°E, at all altitudes and flight levels;
2. 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.
Following the military conflict between the United States and Iran, a temporary ceasefire was initially announced on 8 April 2026 and remained in effect until 17 June 2026, when both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding extending it for a further 60 days. However, its implementation has been subject to recurrent and significant violations, creating again, a high level of risk across the Gulf region.
Iranian efforts to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, recurrent attacks against commercial vessels, and related US military actions create high risks for the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as for the airspace over the waters in the Gulf of Oman west of longitude 58°E.
The presence of major US military facilities in the region increases the likelihood that the States covered by this CZIB may be directly exposed to Iranian missile and drone attacks. The surrounding maritime airspace may also be affected by missile or drone overflights, interception activity, falling debris and the wider consequences of regional military escalation.
The heightened readiness and activation of national and US air-defence systems increase the risk of misidentification, unintended engagement and collateral effects affecting civil aircraft. Military activity may occur with little or no warning in confined airspace, significantly reducing the time available to aircraft operators and air navigation service providers to mitigate exposure through tactical rerouting or timely airspace management measures.
Regional authorities have implemented temporary airspace closures and restrictions at different stages of the conflict. However, the unpredictable nature and rapid evolution of military activity may challenge the timely and effective implementation of such measures.
Unpredictable military developments, combined with the possible use of missiles, drones, combat aircraft and air-defence systems, create a high risk to civil flights at all altitudes and flight levels within the concerned airspace.
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.
Recommendation(s)
Air operators should:
1. Not operate within the airspace of Bahrain (Bahrain FIR – OBBB), Kuwait (Kuwait FIR – OKAC), Qatar (Doha FIR – OTDF), the United Arab Emirates (Emirates FIR – OMAE), and the airspace over the waters of the Gulf of Oman within the FIR Muscat (OOMM) west of longitude 58°E, at all altitudes and flight levels;
2. 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.
Source: France
Reference: Notam LFFF F1456/26
Issued: 01-Jul-26, valid until: 26 Aug 2026
Plain English: French operators should use caution throughout the OMAE/Emirates FIR, including thorough risk assessments.
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 TO EXERCISE GREAT CAUTION WHEN OPERATING INTO THE AIRSPACE OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FIR EMIRATES (OMAE)). THE AIR OPERATOR MUST CARRY OUT A ROBUST RISK ASSESSMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE FLIGHT CAN BE CONDUCTED UNDER SATISFACTORY SAFETY AND SECURITY CONDITIONS BEFORE ENTERING THIS AIRSPACE OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.