EASA extends Middle East conflict zone bulletin amid ongoing aviation risks
Ongoing military activity and the use of advanced air defense systems in the Middle East are prompting high-risk advisories for civil aviation and complex routing challenges
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has extended the validity of its Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) 2026-03, Revision 2, dated 6 March 2026, until 11 March 2026, with no changes to its content.
Operators are advised to avoid all flight levels over Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah FIR. EASA continues to classify the region as high risk to civil aviation due to “ongoing military activity, and the presence of advanced air defence systems and other military assets capable of operating at all altitudes”, according to an operational update from the European Aero-Medical Institute (EURAMI).
Multiple aviation authorities and insurers are reviewing overflight risks, potentially affecting Europe–Asia and parts of Africa routing. “Missions involving overflight of or operations within the affected airspaces may need to be assessed on a strict case-by-case basis,” advised EURAMI.
The Institute said it would continue monitoring the situation and provide updates to the EURAMI community as needed.
Chloe Fox
Chloe Fox is an Senior Editorial Assistant for Voyageur Group, joining in 2024. She writes for AirMed&Rescue and ITIJ, covering a range of topics including international travel and health insurance, medical assistance provision, and air medical transportation. Chloe holds a BA (Hons) in English and an MA in English Literature from the University of Bristol.