EU aviation agency issues warning on Iran and Iraq airspace

BRUSSELS — The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a security advisory to airlines on Tuesday urging them to avoid flights through Iranian and Iraqi airspace, citing heightened security risks in the region. The agency said the updated notice is a precautionary measure aimed at protecting civil aviation operations. EASA stated that the warning directly concerns airlines operating in European airspace or those headquartered in Europe. European carriers have largely already steered clear of routes passing over Iran and Iraq, but some operators continue to use the region as transit corridors. The agency recommended that operators planning flights through the affected airspace refresh their risk assessments and choose alternative routes where necessary. No additional operational restrictions were specified in the advisory beyond the call for updated risk reviews and rerouting where appropriate.