The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has once again extended its warning to carriers to avoid airspace across the Gulf region.

On Monday, EASA issued a new travel advisory for European airlines, which has instructed them to avoid airspace over the waters of the Arabian Gulf within the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

That was an amended travel advisory, as an earlier one had told carriers to avoid airspace over the aforementioned countries entirely.

The statement from EASA comes following an escalation in hostilities between the US and Iran for the first time in a number of weeks.

There had been a relative lull in fighting between Washington and Tehran since late July, it had appeared that the Trump administration was changing tactics, and looked seemingly set on engaging in an economic war with Iran.

Economic Operation Outcast was launched, which specifically imposed sanctions on countries working with Iran.

However, US military forces launched attacks on Larak Island, and Iran has responded in turn by launching missiles at US bases in Jordan, whilst UAE Armed Forces down a drone over its waters on Monday.

“While risks over the waters of the Arabian Gulf remain high, operations necessary for arrivals at or departures from aerodromes within the affected Flight Information Regions may be conducted with sufficient mitigation,” EASA said in its latest advisory for the Arabian Gulf nations.

The advisory also highlighted the risks presented to carriers flying to Oman.

EASA said airlines should not operate over Gulf of Oman waters within Oman’s Muscat flight information region.

In addition to this, the European aviation agency also decided to lift its previous recommendation instructing airlines to avoid Jordanian airspace, but advised airlines ⁠to exercise caution through September 30.

EASA also recommended airlines to cease operations in the Iran, Iraq and Lebanon airspace ⁠until the end of September.

However, flights arriving at or departing from the Lebanese capital Beirut are permitted if ⁠the approach starts from the sea or the departure ends over the sea, the agency added.

Luxair also announced that it was suspending its operations to Dubai until February, 2027.

The Luxembourg carrier was also supposed to launch a new service to Abu Dhabi in October, but that has now been halted until late 2027.

Luxair is just the latest European carrier to suspend operations to the Middle East.

A whole host of international carriers remain absent from the Gulf airspace since the US-Iran war started back in February 28.

Several international airlines continue to adjust their Middle East schedules, and below is a comprehensive breakdown on the state of play.

• Air Canada: Dubai services suspended until mid-January 2027.
• British Airways: Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman services suspended until October 25.
• Singapore Airlines: Dubai services suspended until October 24.
• KLM: Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam services suspended until September 6.
• Philippine Airlines: Dubai services suspended until October 2.
• Lufthansa and Swiss: Dubai services suspended until September 13.
• Turkish Airlines: Abu Dhabi and Dubai services have resumed, while flights to Iran remain suspended.