The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has issued a new warning to airlines over risks associated with flying above Gulf waters.

The updated advisory covers waters within the flight information regions of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The warning remains valid until September 30, 2026, unless the agency reviews it earlier.

The latest advisory reflects continued European assessment of security risks affecting civil aviation across the Gulf region.

EASA recommends that air operators avoid operating at all altitudes and flight levels over the specified Gulf waters.

The affected areas include waters within the Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and Emirates flight information regions.

The advisory does not prohibit every flight connected with airports in the four countries.

Flights that are necessary for arrivals or departures from airports within the affected flight information regions may still be conducted.

However, operators are expected to apply appropriate risk mitigation measures when carrying out such necessary operations.

EASA has also advised airlines to exercise caution when operating over the land territories of the affected countries.

Operators are expected to consider potential risks when planning flights through the relevant airspace.

The European agency is continuing to monitor security and military developments across the Gulf region.

The updated guidance calls on airlines to maintain current risk assessments before conducting operations in affected areas.

Air operators are also advised to maintain strong contingency planning for operations within the relevant airspace.

They should be prepared to respond to instructions issued by national authorities at short notice.

EASA further recommends continuous monitoring of developments affecting airspace across the region.

Airlines should also follow available aeronautical publications and official guidance concerning the affected areas.

The current warning specifically concerns Gulf waters within the flight information regions of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The recommendation applies across all altitudes and flight levels over the specified waters.

An exception remains for operations considered necessary for airport arrivals and departures within the affected regions.

The duration of the current advisory extends through September 30, 2026, unless it is reviewed earlier.

The agency may reassess the guidance depending on changes in the regional security and threat environment.

The warning forms part of EASA's conflict zone safety advisories for civil aviation operators.

The agency says its recommendations are based on information available to EASA, the European Commission and EU member states.

The assessment takes into account the continuing volatility of the regional security situation.

EASA has highlighted potential risks associated with military activity, missiles, drones and air defence operations.

The agency therefore urges operators to maintain appropriate safety measures when planning flights in the affected region.

Reuters reported that the latest European advisory narrows the area covered by the avoidance recommendation compared with earlier guidance.

The updated warning focuses on waters within the Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates flight information regions.

At the same time, caution remains advised for operations over the land territories of the countries concerned.

EASA will continue monitoring the situation and may adjust its recommendations as the threat environment changes.

Airlines are therefore expected to remain alert to new instructions and developments affecting regional airspace.

The current guidance establishes September 30 as the validity date for the advisory unless it is reviewed sooner.

The warning is intended to support airlines in managing potential risks to civil aviation across the Gulf.

Operators should therefore maintain updated assessments and contingency plans while monitoring official aviation information.

The European Aviation Safety Agency's latest guidance reinforces the need for caution as regional security conditions remain subject to change.

For airlines operating in or around the affected areas, the advisory provides a specific framework for managing flights over Gulf waters.

The current recommendation remains in force until September 30, 2026, subject to any earlier review by the agency.