Friday, April 24, 2026

World News

EU flags continued Middle East risk as airlines halt flights until May 1

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has extended its conflict zone status for Middle East and Gulf airspace until May 1.

TAS News Service

info@thearabianstories.com

Friday, April 24, 2026

Muscat: The European aviation regulator confirmed that its conflict zone information bulletins will remain in effect, warning airlines of heightened risks in the Middle East airspace amid the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran.

The extension has led several leading European carriers to maintain disruptions to their flight schedules. Airlines under the Lufthansa Group, including Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, have either suspended or scaled back operations to the region.

Similarly, Air France-KLM and British Airways have also reduced services, citing safety concerns linked to the evolving geopolitical situation.

Flights to major destinations including Tel Aviv, Dubai, Riyadh and Beirut have been affected, with multiple cancellations already extending into late May and, in some cases, as far as October.

Close