EASA Revises Middle East/Persian Gulf Conflict-Zone Bulletin

COLOGNE — The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Commission have updated their Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) for the Middle East and Persian Gulf, extending its validity to March 27, 2026, following a new risk assessment.

EASA stated that the March 18 revision is based on an assessment by the Integrated EU Aviation Security Risk Assessment Group (IRAG) and reflects “observed conflict dynamics,” including shifts in the level and geographic distribution of military activities.

What the revised CZIB says

Under CZIB 2026-03-R4, EASA advises operators to avoid all altitudes and flight levels within the affected airspace, which includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah FIR. A limited exception applies to specific areas of Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The revised guidance provides differentiated risk assessments for Saudi Arabia and Oman. EASA notes that Iranian retaliatory attacks have “primarily targeted” eastern Saudi Arabia, while Oman has experienced a “relatively limited” level of kinetic activity, mainly at low and medium altitudes. This results in “varying levels of risk” across the Jeddah and Muscat FIRs.

The key operational “exception” (Saudi/Oman)

EASA’s bulletin instructs operators not to fly below FL320 in areas of Saudi Arabia and Oman south of the line defined by reporting points OBSOT, DANOM, KEDON, and VELOD. Operators must also maintain robust monitoring and conduct up-to-date risk assessments when using this corridor.

For EU operators and carriers with EASA TCO authorization, CZIB updates directly impact route planning, dispatch risk assessments, and re-clear decisions. Airlines must balance detours around restricted airspace with fuel consumption, payload limits, and network reliability.