Iran Tells Airlines to Avoid Middle East Fly Zone

Iran has issued a warning to international airlines to avoid a strategically important section of Middle East airspace due to planned rocket launches and military exercises, raising fresh concerns over civil aviation safety amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), issued on Thursday morning, advises carriers to avoid skies over parts of southern Iran and regions near the Gulf of Oman from 07:30 to 17:30 Gulf Standard Time, coinciding with rocket firing operations and live‑fire drills. Though many airlines have already been circumventing parts of the region for safety reasons, the official advisory underscores the growing risk of airspace disruption.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been conducting military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints for oil and gas shipments. Tehran has boasted of advanced weapons systems deployed during these drills, describing the islands of the Arabian Gulf as “impregnable fortresses” capable of controlling or closing the strait if ordered to do so.

The drills also include joint naval exercises with allied nations, including Russia, and possibly China,  aimed at enhancing security and maritime coordination in the Sea of Oman and northern Indian Ocean, according to Iranian state media reports.

The latest restrictions come amid persistent friction between Iran and the United States, which has deployed warships to the region as negotiations over a nuclear deal continue. While Washington has expressed a preference for diplomacy, US military officials have reportedly prepared forces for potential action, reflecting the delicate balance between deterrence and escalation.

Airlines typically rely on NOTAMs to assess risks and plan safe flight routes, and advisories like this one, combined with broader regional instability, can lead carriers to re‑route flights around affected airspace. The move also follows previous safety advisories from international aviation bodies urging the avoidance of Iranian airspace through late March, due to potential threats from regional hostilities.

As tensions simmer, the aviation industry continues to monitor developments closely, with passenger safety and operational continuity at the forefront of airline planning decisions.

What This Means for Travellers:

• Airlines may reroute flights to bypass the region, potentially adding flight time and cost.
• Passengers travelling to or from Gulf destinations should check with carriers for updated flight paths or schedule changes.
• Aviation safety experts emphasise monitoring NOTAM updates and regional developments before booking routes that would otherwise pass over southern Iran or adjacent waters.