The April 2026 US–Iran ceasefire has collapsed, and Iran launched renewed missile and drone strikes across the Gulf on 2–3 June 2026. Several Gulf states that had reopened their skies are back on alert, with short-notice closures and a no-fly advisory now covering Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria.
This guide tracks the live airspace status of each affected country. Conditions are governed by live NOTAMs and can change within hours, so verify with your airline and official sources before travelling.
Gulf Airspace Status at a Glance (June 2026)
The table below summarises the current state of each country’s airspace following the renewed strikes. Several earlier reopenings can no longer be confirmed as normal operations.
| Country | Airspace status | Notes | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuwait | Reopened, limited | Airport struck 3 June; Terminals 4 and 5 reopened, Terminal 1 closed, foreign airlines mostly suspended | 4 June 2026 |
| Bahrain | Closed, gradually resuming | Airspace closed after 3 June attack; traffic resuming via fixed entry/exit points, no normal-ops timeline | 4 June 2026 |
| UAE | Open, on alert | DXB, AUH, DWC operating; brief holding/cancellations on 3 June; under EASA caution advisory | 4 June 2026 |
| Qatar | Open, corridor-restricted | Hamad International operating within QCAA-authorised corridors at roughly 55% of pre-conflict schedule | 4 June 2026 |
| Saudi Arabia | Open, restricted | EASA caution; operators advised not to fly below FL320; ESCAT procedures may activate at short notice | 4 June 2026 |
| Oman | Open, restricted | Most stable southern bypass; not below FL320; GNSS interference reported | 4 June 2026 |
| Jordan | Open, caution | Under EASA caution advisory; short-notice restrictions possible | 4 June 2026 |
| Iran | Avoid (no-fly) | EASA advises operators not to enter at any altitude; US struck a ground station on Qeshm Island | 4 June 2026 |
| Iraq | Avoid (no-fly) | EASA advises operators not to enter at any altitude (previously announced reopening now superseded) | 4 June 2026 |
| Lebanon / Syria | Avoid (no-fly) | EASA and national advisories recommend avoiding Beirut and Damascus FIRs entirely | 4 June 2026 |
What Happened in Early June 2026
Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones at Kuwait and Bahrain on 2–3 June, following a US strike on an Iranian ground control station on Qeshm Island. US and host-nation forces intercepted most projectiles, but a drone struck Kuwait International Airport’s Terminal 1.
The renewed strikes ended the fragile truce that had held since April. Gulf airspaces that had reopened went back on alert, with brief closures and aircraft holding over Gulf waters before rerouting.
Countries on the No-Fly List
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency advises operators to avoid the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon entirely, at all altitudes. National advisories add Syria to that list.
- Iran: Tehran FIR is to be avoided at all flight levels. A US strike hit a ground control station on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iraq: Baghdad FIR is now under a full avoidance advisory; an earlier reopening can no longer be confirmed as safe for normal routing.
- Lebanon and Syria: The Beirut and Damascus FIRs remain on avoidance advisories.
Gulf States Open but Disrupted
Kuwait
Kuwait International Airport had reopened to international traffic on 1 June, only to be struck on 3 June. One person was killed and 63 injured, and Terminal 1 was badly damaged.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation resumed operations after damage assessments, with Kuwait Airways flying from Terminal 4 and Jazeera Airways from Terminal 5. Most foreign airlines remain suspended and Terminal 1 is closed, with no confirmed full-reopening date.
Bahrain
Bahrain closed its airspace on 3 June after intercepting Iranian missiles and drones aimed at US Fifth Fleet facilities. Bahrain International Airport is now resuming traffic gradually through fixed entry and exit points.
Gulf Air temporarily relocated its fleet to airports in Saudi Arabia as a precaution. No official timeline has been given for a return to normal operations, and the picture is governed by live NOTAMs.
UAE
UAE airspace is open, with Dubai International, Zayed International, and Al Maktoum International operational. Dubai International was placed on heightened alert on 3 June, with some flights briefly held or cancelled.
The UAE had fully lifted restrictions on 2 May but reimposed precautionary corridors after Iran targeted Abu Dhabi and Dubai on 4 May. Emirates, flydubai, and Etihad continue to operate, though delays and rerouting remain possible.
Qatar
Doha‘s Hamad International is open but corridor-restricted, with flights confined to QCAA-authorised routings that can add time to journeys.
Qatar Airways is operating around 55% of its pre-conflict schedule, with roughly 140 daily departures and a planned expansion to more than 150 destinations from 16 June 2026 if conditions allow.
Saudi Arabia
The Jeddah FIR is open and forms part of the southern bypass, but operators are advised not to fly below FL320 within Saudi airspace, and air traffic control measures may activate at short notice.
Saudia continues to run a reduced schedule, with flow restrictions and extra fuel loading expected on flights through the Saudi FIRs.
Oman
Muscat‘s airspace remains the most stable transit option in the region and serves as the primary southern bypass, though operators are advised not to fly below FL320.
Oman Air continues hub operations with corridor routings into the UAE and Saudi Arabia. GNSS interference has been reported, but Oman remains the most predictable Gulf routing.
Jordan
Amman‘s airspace is open but under an EASA caution advisory. Short-notice restrictions remain possible, and travellers should monitor NOTAMs and airline updates closely.
EASA Conflict Zone Advisory
The current bulletin is EASA CZIB 2026-03-R11, last revised 27 May 2026 and valid until 10 June 2026. It will be reviewed again and may be revised in light of the renewed strikes.
It advises operators to avoid Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon at all altitudes, and to exercise heightened caution with a robust risk assessment across Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
What This Means for Travellers
If you are booked through a Gulf hub, expect possible delays, rerouting, and short-notice cancellations. Airspace that is open today can close within hours if strikes resume.
- Check before you travel: Confirm your flight status directly with your airline and review official civil-aviation and government advisories on the day of travel.
- Book flexible fares: Choose tickets with free changes or refunds where possible, given how quickly conditions are shifting.
- Watch rebooking waivers: Several carriers have active waivers covering disrupted travel; check your airline’s travel-alerts page for eligibility.
- Allow extra time: Corridor restrictions through Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman can lengthen journeys and connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Gulf countries have reopened their airspace?
Most Gulf states are open but disrupted. The UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Jordan are open with restrictions or caution advisories, Kuwait has reopened only partially after the 3 June airport strike, and Bahrain is gradually resuming after closing its airspace. Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria are under full avoidance advisories.
Is it safe to fly through Dubai right now?
Dubai is operational but not risk-free. Dubai International was placed on heightened alert during the 3 June strikes, with some flights briefly held or cancelled, and EASA keeps the UAE under a caution advisory. Check your airline’s latest schedule before travelling.
Has Kuwait airport reopened after the June strike?
Partially. After a drone struck Terminal 1 on 3 June, the DGCA resumed operations through Terminals 4 and 5, with Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways flying. Most foreign airlines remain suspended and Terminal 1 is closed with no confirmed reopening date.
Can I fly to or over Iran and Iraq?
No — both are under avoidance advisories. EASA advises operators not to enter Iranian, Iraqi, or Lebanese airspace at any altitude following the renewed strikes. An earlier Iraqi reopening can no longer be confirmed as safe for normal routing.
What should I do if my flight is cancelled?
Contact your airline first and check its travel-alerts page for rebooking waivers. Choose flexible fares where possible and monitor official civil-aviation advisories, as airspace that is open today can close at short notice if strikes resume.
Sources
- EASA — Conflict Zone Information Bulletin 2026-03-R11: Middle East and Persian Gulf (valid to 10 June 2026)
- Safe Airspace — Conflict Zone & Risk Database Summary
- Al Jazeera — Iranian Drone Hits Kuwait’s Main Airport After US Strikes Qeshm Island
- The National — Fresh Iran Strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait Test Failing Talks
- The National — Kuwait and Jazeera Airways Resume Operations After Iranian Airport Attack
- NPR — Kuwait Says Iranian Drones Hit Airport and Killed One as Ceasefire Is Tested Again
- NewsX — UAE Flight Update (3 June 2026): Dubai International on Alert After Iran Missile Attack
- Gulf Air — Gradual Resumption of Global Flights
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.
