The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has extended until 30 September its warning to airlines against flying over the waters of the Persian Gulf in areas belonging to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. At the same time, it has scaled back the warning, as the previous recommendation applied to the entire airspace of these countries.

The new recommendation was issued a few hours after the United States and Iran resumed hostilities for the first time since late July. According to the agency, the risk over the waters of the Persian Gulf remains high. However, flights to and from airports in the affected areas may proceed provided adequate security measures are in place.

At the same time, airlines should exercise caution when flying over the mainland of these countries and continue to avoid the waters of the Gulf of Oman in the flight information region controlled from Muscat.

The agency has lifted its recommendation to avoid Jordanian airspace, but continues to recommend increased caution there through the end of September.

EASA has also extended until 30 September its recommendation not to fly over Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. Flights to and from Beirut are exempt if the approach route begins or the departure route ends over the sea.

(Reuters, bak)