DZWatch Exclusive: European and American aviation authorities have issued warnings to airlines regarding the safety of flying over Iranian airspace and parts of the Caribbean. The advisories come amid heightened international tensions and concerns about potential risks to civilian aircraft.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Friday urged European airlines to avoid Iranian airspace altogether. EASA cited the “presence of a wide range of air defense weapons and systems, and the possibility of their use, in addition to the potential for miscalculation or misidentification,” as posing a significant risk to civilian flights at all altitudes. This warning arrives against a backdrop of escalating tensions related to internal protests and external threats.
The agency highlighted the increased risk of aircraft being mistakenly targeted in Iranian airspace, especially given the ongoing tensions and the potential for military action. This situation has reportedly placed Iranian air defense forces on high alert.
Several European airlines, including Lufthansa, Wizz Air, and British Airways, have already been avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace, even after Iran reopened its airspace earlier this week following a brief closure. The closure had led to flight cancellations, rerouting, and delays for some airlines. Flight tracking data confirms that many carriers are choosing alternative routes to circumvent the region.
In a separate but related development, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a series of warnings advising airlines to exercise caution when flying over Central America and parts of South America. The FAA cited potential risks related to military activities and possible GPS interference in the region. The FAA has issued NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) to provide detailed guidance to airlines operating in these areas.
DZWatch will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates as they become available.
