European aviation regulator advises operators 'not to perform flights' in Iranian airspace

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Wednesday recommended operators not to perform flights in the airspace of Iran amid escalating situation in the region.

In a statement, EASA said that together with the European Commission, they have issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin recommending operators "not to perform flights in the airspace of Iran at all flight levels."

The recommendation came as Iran carried out a major missile attack on Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, and an Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander.

"The recommendation is valid until October 31, 2024 and can be reviewed earlier, and adapted or withdrawn, subject to the revised assessment," the statement said.

It underlined that the agency will continue to monitor the situation closely, to assess whether there is an increase or decrease in risks for EU aircraft operators as a result of the “evolution of the threat.”

Regional tensions have escalated due to Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 41,700 people, mostly women and children, following a Hamas attack last October.

The conflict spread to Lebanon with Israel launching deadly strikes across the country, which have killed 1,928 people and injured nearly 9,300 others since Sept. 23.