United Arab Emirates
Risk Level: Three - Caution
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June 2025: Major escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Ongoing exchange of fire with ballistic missiles, drones and widespread activations of air defence systems. Iran, Israel, Iraq - airspace remains closed to all flights. Jordan, Lebanon, Syria - risk remains high with missiles and drones transiting airspace. Conflict is expected to continue for several weeks. Iran is warning that a conflict zone exists over international waters in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea within the Tehran FIR due to military activity, raising risks for traffic near Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE.
See OPSGROUP Briefing: Middle East airspace situation – June 2025
The primary risk in the UAE is from short-notice airspace closures due to Iran/Israel airstrikes.
The secondary risk is from incidental damage from Houthi drone and missile attacks on airports. However, there have been no Houthi drone or missile attacks in the UAE since the January 2022 strike on Abu Dhabi, and none since a ceasefire began in April 2022, improving the airspace risk picture. The threat could return if conflict resumes, but no countries have issued airspace warnings for the OMAE/Emirates FIR since 2022.
Major events:
Feb 2022: At least three drones were shot down by surface-to-air missiles in UAE airspace on Feb 2. This time militants in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack.
Jan 2022: Houthi ballistic missile targeting Abu Dhabi was destroyed on Jan 30 - the third attack in two weeks. Flights at OMAA/Abu Dhabi were briefly affected.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Has The Yemen Conflict Reached The UAE? Jan 2022
See OPSGROUP Briefing: Middle East airspace situation – June 2025
The primary risk in the UAE is from short-notice airspace closures due to Iran/Israel airstrikes.
The secondary risk is from incidental damage from Houthi drone and missile attacks on airports. However, there have been no Houthi drone or missile attacks in the UAE since the January 2022 strike on Abu Dhabi, and none since a ceasefire began in April 2022, improving the airspace risk picture. The threat could return if conflict resumes, but no countries have issued airspace warnings for the OMAE/Emirates FIR since 2022.
Major events:
Feb 2022: At least three drones were shot down by surface-to-air missiles in UAE airspace on Feb 2. This time militants in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack.
Jan 2022: Houthi ballistic missile targeting Abu Dhabi was destroyed on Jan 30 - the third attack in two weeks. Flights at OMAA/Abu Dhabi were briefly affected.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Has The Yemen Conflict Reached The UAE? Jan 2022
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Notam OMAE A0404/21 | 16 Feb 2021 | Ongoing |
Source: United Arab Emirates
Reference: Notam OMAE A0404/21
Issued: 16-Feb-21, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Risk from Houthi weapons targeting UAE territory. (This Notam was cancelled in May 2021 and not re-issued, but we are keeping it listed here for reference).
A0404/21 - REFERENCE TO SAUDI ARABIA NOTAM W0120/21, DUE TO THE CONFLICT IN YEMEN BETWEEN THE LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT AND IRANIAN-SUPPORTED HOUTHI MILITIA, THERE EXISTS THE POTENTIAL FOR HOUTHI WEAPONS TO AFFECT CIVIL AVIATION OPERATIONS BEYOND THE SANAA FIR.
AS A RESULT, PILOTS SHALL KEEP LISTENING TO THE APPROPRIATE ATC FREQUENCIES AND SHALL STRICTLY ADHERE TO ATC INSTRUCTIONS WHEN FLYING IN THE EMIRATES FIR.
IN ADDITION, UAE IS PUTTING IN PLACE MEASURES TO MITIGATE RISK THAT MIGHT RESULT FROM UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM CAPABILITIES THAT MAY TARGET AIR OPERATIONS WITHIN THE EMIRATES FIR.
16 FEB 10:00 2021 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 16 FEB 10:00 2021
AS A RESULT, PILOTS SHALL KEEP LISTENING TO THE APPROPRIATE ATC FREQUENCIES AND SHALL STRICTLY ADHERE TO ATC INSTRUCTIONS WHEN FLYING IN THE EMIRATES FIR.
IN ADDITION, UAE IS PUTTING IN PLACE MEASURES TO MITIGATE RISK THAT MIGHT RESULT FROM UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM CAPABILITIES THAT MAY TARGET AIR OPERATIONS WITHIN THE EMIRATES FIR.
16 FEB 10:00 2021 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 16 FEB 10:00 2021