EASA’s Gulf advisory remains active, but its 31 August 2026 revision allows necessary arrivals and departures with risk mitigation. European airline suspensions and restarts vary by route.
Here is the current advisory, which European airlines are affected, and what your options are if you need to reach the Gulf.
EASA Gulf Airspace Advisory: What It Says Now
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) sets out Gulf recommendations for EASA-regulated operators and third-country operators on services under their EASA authorisation through its Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB-2026-07R2).
The current revision is dated 31 August 2026 and valid until 30 September unless reviewed earlier. It covers Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Oman.
The recommendations distinguish maritime and land airspace.
- Maritime airspace: avoid Persian Gulf waters in the Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and Emirates FIRs except as necessary for local arrivals or departures; avoid Gulf of Oman waters west of 58°E.
- Land airspace: exercise caution, maintain current risk assessments and contingency plans, and follow authority instructions.
A CZIB is an advisory, not a legal closure. It does not shut the airspace, but EU-regulated carriers are expected to factor it into their own safety risk assessments.
Airline operational decisions remain separate from the advisory; a suspension expiry is not a confirmed restart.
Which European Airlines Are Suspended or Returning
The following route-specific status was checked on 7 September 2026. Published restart plans remain subject to change.
| Airline | Gulf / Middle East Routes Affected | Status |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain, Amman; reduced Doha/Riyadh service | BA confirms regional cancellations and temporary suspensions. The National reports Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman suspended until 25 October. Exact September Doha/Riyadh frequencies were not independently verified. |
| Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines) | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Dammam, Amman, Muscat, Erbil, Beirut, Tehran; Tel Aviv restored | The 1 September airline notice keeps Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Beirut and Muscat suspended through 24 October; Erbil and Tehran through 31 October. Austrian’s Amman exception runs through 1 October. Frankfurt–Riyadh LH622 is scheduled on 10 and 12 September, 13:10–19:55. Tel Aviv services are operating. |
| Air France | Dubai and Beirut; Riyadh and Tel Aviv restored | The National reports Dubai suspended through 8 September and Beirut through 13 September, with Riyadh and Tel Aviv resumed. Air France’s alert page was inaccessible for direct confirmation; these expiry dates are not guaranteed restarts. |
| KLM | Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam | KLM confirms no flights to these destinations through 24 October 2026. |
| Wizz Air | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman | The National reports mainland Europe–Dubai/Abu Dhabi suspended until 24 October and Amman until 21 September. Direct airline confirmation of these dates was not available. |
| Eurowings | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Jeddah; Beirut restored | Dubai planned from 1 November, Amman from 7 November and Jeddah from 12 November. Abu Dhabi suspended through 24 October with no restart date set; Beirut has resumed. |
For cancellations covered by EU261 or UK261, passengers can choose an eligible refund or rerouting. Care obligations can still apply; extraordinary circumstances can remove additional compensation liability without removing refund or rerouting rights.
For airline-specific rebooking details, including links to manage your booking, see our dedicated guides.
- Emirates Flight Cancellation 2026: Refunds, Rebooking, and Passenger Rights
- KLM Flight Cancellation: What to Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled (2026 Guide)
- Flight Cancellations Middle East 2026: Which Airlines Have Announced Cancellations?
Gulf Destination Status: Airport by Airport
The situation varies across Gulf destinations. For comprehensive details on individual airports, see our dedicated live guides linked below.
Dubai (DXB)
Dubai International Airport remains open; this does not establish that every airline’s network is normal. Emirates and flydubai continue to fly, though short-notice changes are possible during periods of regional escalation.
For the latest: Is Dubai Airport Open? Live Status and Travel Updates 2026 | Is It Safe to Fly to Dubai Now?
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
Zayed International Airport is open, with Etihad Airways operating. Lufthansa Group’s Abu Dhabi suspension runs until 24 October 2026.
Doha (DOH)
Hamad International Airport is open, with Qatar Airways publishing services to over 160 destinations through 15 September. British Airways’ exact September Doha frequency was not independently verified.
Jeddah (JED)
King Abdulaziz International Airport is operating on Saudi Arabia’s western coast. Saudia lists JED–DXB SV590 for 13 September at 00:30–04:25 local time; a published schedule is not proof of completed operation or seats.
Riyadh (RUH)
King Khalid International Airport is operating. Lufthansa’s Frankfurt–Riyadh restart is scheduled for 10 September; KLM’s suspension runs through 24 October. British Airways’ exact September frequency was not independently verified.
Kuwait (KWI)
Kuwait International Airport operates through Terminals 4 and 5 on a reduced schedule, while Terminal 1 remains closed. Its official board records Kuwait Airways KU205 to Islamabad departing Terminal 4 on 6 September at 22:30.
Your Options Right Now: How to Reach the Gulf from Europe
With several European routes suspended, Gulf-based airlines and alternative routing remain options.
Gulf carriers still flying to Europe
- Qatar Airways — publishes a network of over 160 destinations through 15 September, including European services. Search flights to Doha on Wego.
- Emirates — broad network from Dubai. Search flights to Dubai on Wego.
- Etihad Airways — operating from Abu Dhabi. Search flights to Abu Dhabi on Wego.
- flydubai — operating from Dubai. Search flights on Wego.
Connecting through alternative hubs
- Jeddah — an alternative connection point via Saudia. Search flights to Jeddah on Wego.
- Istanbul — a useful connection point onward to the Gulf. Search flights to Istanbul on Wego.
- Mumbai or Delhi — Air India and IndiGo run extensive Gulf networks.
Book with flexibility in mind, as schedules are changing at short notice. Choose fares with rebooking options where possible.
Use the Wego Flight Tracker to check real-time status for any flight, airline or airport across the region.
Key Dates to Watch
- 10 September: scheduled Lufthansa Frankfurt–Riyadh restart.
- 30 September: current EASA Gulf bulletin validity ends unless reviewed earlier.
- 24 October: current KLM Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam suspension end.
- 1, 7 and 12 November: Eurowings’ planned Dubai, Amman and Jeddah restarts respectively.
If you are booked on a European carrier to the Gulf, keep checking your airline’s travel alerts page. For the latest safety assessment, see our guide: Is It Safe to Fly to Dubai Now?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly from London to Dubai right now?
Emirates offers direct London–Dubai service. British Airways’ Dubai suspension is reported through 25 October. A connection via Doha is another option, subject to a confirmed itinerary.
Are the renewed Iranian strikes still disrupting Gulf flights?
Regional tensions can still disrupt flights. Airport operation, published schedules and a flight’s live status are separate; short-notice cancellations and airspace closures remain possible.
Is Doha a safer bet than Dubai for travel right now?
Both airports handle flights, but neither can be ranked safer from flight availability alone. Government travel advice and airline routing assessments are separate considerations.
What if EASA eases the advisory — will flights resume immediately?
No. EASA has revised the Gulf recommendations, but airlines make separate operational decisions. There is no universal restart timescale.
Am I entitled to a refund for my cancelled European flight to the Gulf?
For flights covered by EU261 or UK261, cancellation gives a choice of an eligible refund or rerouting. Conflict-related extraordinary circumstances may exclude additional compensation; care rights can still apply.
Is Jeddah a good alternative for reaching the Gulf?
Jeddah is an alternative connection point on Saudia. Its western location does not guarantee less disruption or a safe onward connection; use a confirmed through itinerary.
Sources
- EASA — Conflict Zone Information Bulletin: Airspace of the Middle East and Persian Gulf (CZIB-2026-07R2)
- EASA — Conflict Zones Advisories
- The National — Fresh Iran Strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait Test Failing Talks
- The National — Middle East Flight Status: British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa
- NPR — Kuwait Says Iranian Drones Hit Airport and Killed 1 as Ceasefire Is Tested
- KLM — Statement on Situation in the Middle East
- Gulf Business — Full List of Airlines Cancelling, Delaying Flights in the Middle East
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
