International airlines extend Gulf flight suspensions as EASA advises avoiding regional airspace

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) advised airlines from 14 July 2026 to avoid Persian Gulf airspace, particularly over Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, citing missile and drone risks. Several major European carriers, including Lufthansa and Swiss, have extended their flight suspensions to Dubai into mid-September, and British Airways has delayed its phased return to the region.

By contrast, Persian Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways have kept their flights running and asked passengers to check flight status before traveling. The main constraint is not airport closures but aircraft having to route around high-risk air corridors.

The continued US-Iran war is keeping travel and air logistics across the whole region, including routes linked to Iran, under pressure.