On August 31, 2026, EASA updated its aviation recommendations for the airspace over the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and Jordan. Both recommendations are valid through September 30, 2026. However, the guidance for Jordan differs from that for the Gulf region, so travelers transiting the Middle East should check the applicable area and recommendation level separately.
Key changes
For all altitudes in the Amman FIR covering Jordan, the previous blanket flight ban has been replaced with guidance to consider potential risks and maintain up-to-date risk assessments and contingency plans. EASA said that conditions had improved significantly in August and that no dynamic military activity had been observed. This does not mean that the risk in Jordanian airspace has been eliminated, but the recommendation has shifted from complete avoidance to a caution-focused approach.
The recommendation for Gulf and Gulf of Oman airspace has been extended through September 30. The main areas covered are the Persian Gulf waters within the FIRs of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Gulf of Oman waters west of longitude 58 degrees in the Oman FIR.
Current status
The Gulf recommendation advises against operating at any altitude over the specified waters. However, flights necessary for arrivals at and departures from airports in the relevant FIRs are exempt. For the territorial airspace of Gulf coastal states, the guidance is to consider potential risks and operate with caution.
The Gulf recommendation does not mean a blanket ban on all airspace over the countries concerned. The specified waters, territorial airspace, airport arrivals, and departure exceptions must be distinguished.
| Area | Key recommendation through September 30, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Amman FIR, Jordan | Consider potential risks and maintain current risk assessments and contingency plans instead of applying a blanket flight ban |
| Gulf and Gulf of Oman waters | Avoid operating at any altitude over the specified waters |
| Territorial airspace of Gulf coastal states | Operate with caution while considering potential risks |
| Relevant FIR airports | Flights necessary for arrivals and departures are exempt |
Impact
This update is relevant to travelers transiting the Middle East, including through Dubai and Doha. However, EASA aviation recommendations are safety information provided to applicable air operators; they do not collectively determine whether individual flights are canceled, delayed, or operating normally.
Travelers should therefore check their booked flight in the following order:
- Check the latest operating notices from the airline.
- Check the flight lookup results for the departure and connecting airports.
- For itineraries connecting through Dubai or Doha, recheck the status of each flight, including the connecting segment.
Dubai Airports operates an official flight-status page, but the materials reviewed for this article do not confirm the status of any specific flight. EASA’s recommendation alone should not be used to conclude that a particular route has been canceled or delayed.
Next review point
According to the current documents, the recommendations are valid through September 30, 2026. However, their validity periods may be changed earlier following a separate review by EASA. Travelers transiting the Middle East should check the latest operating status with their airline and departure and connecting airports before leaving, and should also verify whether EASA has issued a further update.
Source check
- [EASA, Airspace of Jordan — CZIB-2026-08-R1](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/air-operations/czibs/czib-2026-08-r1) — Checked on August 31, 2026
- [EASA, Airspace of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman — CZIB-2026-07R2](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/air-operations/czibs/czib-2026-07r2) — Checked on August 31, 2026
- [Republished Reuters report](https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/3970036-eu-aviation-safety-agency-narrows-gulf-airspace-warning) — Checked on August 31, 2026
- [Dubai Airports flight lookup](https://dubaiairports.ae/en/flight-status) — Route for checking individual flight status