Israel and the US attacked Iran on Saturday. US President Donald Trump announced that the US military has launched a major combat operation in Iran. In retaliation, Iran announced attacks on all US bases in the Middle East.
EASA, which monitors safety for EU air operators, recommended that they should not conduct operations in the airspace covered by the intervention at all flight altitudes.
The agency stressed in a statement that retaliatory actions against the US and Israel in the region are likely. This will result – as the agency noted – additional high risk to the airspace not only of Iran, but also of neighboring countries where US military bases are located or which are otherwise affected by hostilities and related military activities, including interception.
US bases are located, among others, in the United Arab Emirates, the place where Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports are located. These are huge transfer hubs for passengers traveling to e.g. Southeast Asian countries, China or Japan.
On Saturday morning, Qatar Airways announced the suspension of all flight operations at Doha airport.
See also: More countries are closing the sky. Traffic jam over Qatar, LOT Polish Airlines turns back
— Taking into account current and anticipated developments, there is a high risk to civil aviation in the airspace affected by the intervention, EASA said, which means paralysis in the skies not only in the Middle East but also in Europe.
