EASA’s Gulf advisory remains active. It allows necessary arrivals and departures with risk mitigation, while individual airline operations and cancellations remain route-specific.
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
Airline disruption remains route-specific: an airport operating does not mean every carrier has resumed its normal network. KLM’s current alert says flights to and from Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam are paused through 24 October 2026. British Airways offers rebooking or refund options for eligible customers booked to or from specified regional destinations through 31 October, but it does not publish a single restart date for every route.
We could not verify current, official restart notices for every airline previously listed here, so they should not be treated as operating commitments. Confirm the exact flight number with the operating airline before leaving for the airport; a published timetable is not proof that an individual flight will operate.
Gulf Destination Status: Airport by Airport
There is no blanket airport closure in the EASA advisory. CZIB-2026-07R2 covers Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Oman; it advises covered operators on particular over-water routes, while allowing necessary airport arrivals and departures with risk mitigation. Airport operations and the status of a particular airline flight remain separate questions.
Dubai (DXB)
Dubai International Airport is operating, but airline schedules can change at short notice during regional escalation. KLM’s current suspension of Dubai services runs through 24 October 2026.
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
Zayed International Airport is operating. The EASA advisory does not close the airport, but individual carriers may cancel, reroute or alter services.
Doha (DOH)
Hamad International Airport is operating. Travellers should treat a confirmed ticket and the operating airline’s flight status as the answer for their own journey, rather than assuming a normal schedule from the airport’s status alone.
Jeddah (JED)
King Abdulaziz International Airport is not subject to a blanket nationwide closure. Saudi airspace is not covered by CZIB-2026-07R2, but individual international services may still be disrupted by airline safety decisions.
Riyadh (RUH)
King Khalid International Airport is not subject to a blanket nationwide closure. KLM has paused its Riyadh flights through 24 October 2026; that carrier-specific suspension does not mean the airport is closed.
Southern Saudi Arabia: Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran
Saudi airspace and main airports are not subject to a nationwide closure in the official aviation material reviewed. However, Houthi missile and drone threats have prompted emergency alerts in Abha and Khamis Mushait in Asir, and in Jazan and Najran; the temporary alerts in those locations were lifted on 14 September. Southern routes therefore face elevated risk of short-notice cancellation or disruption. Do not assume that a flight will operate merely because the airport has not been closed nationwide.
Kuwait (KWI)
Kuwait International Airport continues to handle flights. The EASA advisory does not itself close the airport, but airline operations and routing can change at short notice.
Your Options Right Now: How to Reach the Gulf from Europe
Some Gulf-based and international carriers continue to operate services, while other routes are suspended or adjusted. Use a confirmed through itinerary where possible and choose a fare with rebooking options.
Before departure, confirm the specific flight number with the operating airline and allow extra time for rerouting or short-notice changes. Use the Wego Flight Tracker to check the live status of a flight, airline or airport across the region.
Key Dates to Watch
- 30 September: CZIB-2026-07R2 is valid through this date unless EASA reviews it earlier.
- 24 October: KLM’s current pause on Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam flights runs through this date.
Other airline restart dates previously listed here were not confirmed in current official notices and should not be used for travel planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly from London to Dubai right now?
Direct and connecting options may be available, but a confirmed itinerary is not a guarantee that a particular flight will operate. Check the operating airline’s current flight status before leaving for the airport.
Are regional tensions still disrupting Gulf flights?
Yes, disruption remains possible. The EASA advisory remains active for covered Gulf airspace, and current Houthi missile and drone threats have affected southern Saudi locations. Airport operation, a published schedule and a flight’s live status are separate; short-notice cancellations or rerouting remain possible.
Is Doha a safer bet than Dubai for travel right now?
Neither airport can be ranked safer from flight availability alone. Both are operating, but route-specific airline decisions, airspace routing and government safety advice can differ from one journey to another.
What if EASA eases the advisory — will flights resume immediately?
No. Airlines make separate operational decisions, so there is no universal restart timescale even if EASA changes or withdraws its advisory.
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 not under a blanket airport closure, but it is not a disruption-free alternative. Use a confirmed through itinerary and check the operating airline’s status for each segment.
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.
