Military Activity Risks Shut Iran Skies to European Airlines

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a safety advisory urging European and EU-regulated airlines not to operate in Iranian airspace at any altitude. The warning cites heightened regional tensions, potential threats to civilian aircraft, including the risk of air defense systems misidentifying commercial planes due to unstable and unpredictable military activity.

Regional instability

The advisory comes amid ongoing protests and violent clashes in Iran. These events have drawn international attention and raised concerns about the possibility of a broader regional conflict. At the same time, international media have reported threats of possible US military action, further contributing to uncertainty in the region.

For civil aviation, such conditions heighten the danger of miscalculations that could put passenger aircraft at risk.

In January 2020, Iran’s air defence forces mistakenly shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 shortly after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 passengers and crew on board. That tragic incident involved a surface-to-air missile misidentifying a civilian aircraft amid elevated military tension. This remains a somber precedent that shapes current risk assessments even years later.

European airlines are already changing flight routes

EASA’s warning has immediate consequences for the commercial aviation and travel industry. Major European carriers, including Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, British Airways, Ryanair, and Finnair, have begun adjusting their routes to comply with the recommendation and reduce risk for passengers and crews.

As a result, many airlines are redirecting flights away from Iranian airspace over Central Asia or more northern corridors instead of the shorter Middle East paths that previously helped reduce travel time between Europe and Asia.

Recent US-related conflicts

This is the second time this year that tensions involving the US have triggered flight restrictions. On January 3, 2026, the Trump administration carried out military strikes in Venezuela, an operation that led to the capture and removal of President Nicolas Maduro.

Following the sudden escalation, the US Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency NOTAM, banning US-registered aircraft from operating in Venezuelan airspace, as well as in several surrounding Caribbean flight information regions, citing safety and security concerns.

Photo by KAMRAN gholami on Unsplash