Current Middle East airspace closures and estimated reopening times
Many of the NOTAMS closing airspace in the Middle East are set to expire late morning on 1 March. There is a very strong possibility that these NOTAMs will be extended. As of 0530 UTC on 1 March, these are the estimated reopening times:
Saudi Arabia (OEJD) — Partial closure affecting area bordering Iraq and the Persian Gulf — Expires 0800 UTC | 1 March
Iran (OIIX) — Total closure — Expires 0830 UTC | 1 March
Iraq (ORBB) — Total closure — Expires 0900 UTC | 1 March
Qatar (OTDF) — Total closure — Expires 1000 UTC | 1 March
Bahrain (OBBB) — Total closure — Expires 1000 UTC | 1 March
Kuwait (OKAC) — Total closure — Expires 1000 UTC | 1 March
Syria (OSTT) — Total closure — Expires 2100 UTC | 1 March
United Arab Emirates (OMAE) — Closure by way of Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (ESCAT) zones — All expire 1200 UTC | 2 March
Israel (LLLL) — Total closure — Expires 1000 UTC | 3 March
Muscat Airport closed — Oman airspace remains open
A NOTAM reveals that Muscat Airport (MCT/OOMS) has closed temporarily. Oman airspace (Muscat FIR) however remains open for now, and all other airports in Oman remain open.
Updated list of airspace closures
The situation is evolving rapidly. For clarity, the following countries have, at the time of writing, closed their airspace in its entirety:
Iran
Iraq
Kuwait
Bahrain
Qatar
Emirates FIR, the airspace covering the United Arab Emirates, technically remains open at this time — but no commercial aircraft is currently departing from or arriving at airports in the sector.
Syria has not entirely shut their airspace, but key ATS routes (DAM–BUSRA, DAM–ZELAF, DAM–MODIK, and DAM–SOKAN) have been closed.
The airspace over Doha and Bahrain has been closed.
NOTAM’s covering both Bahrain FIR (Flight Information region) and Doha FIR has been posted, revealing that the airspace above both Bahrain and Doha has been closed. Aircraft previously holding over the Persian Gulf, north of the UAE shoreline are now seen exiting the area, heading south.
Media outlets reporting that United States and Israeli military are striking Iran
The New York Times, CNN, and others are reporting that the United States is also striking Iran alongside Israel. As of 0715 UTC, airspace in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel is mostly empty with just a few remaining flights either landing or changing their flight path to exit those countries.
Flights also exiting or holding outside Iraqi airspace
Flights are exiting Iraqi airspace or holding prior to entry. Though no official NOTAM has been posted yet, this is common when there are strikes by Israel or Iran.
Israel says it has launched strikes on Iran, airspace closures going into place
Israel says it has launched “pre-emptive” strikes on Iran, with multiple news outlets reporting explosions in Tehran.
Iran has closed its airspace entirely until at least 1200 UTC 28 Feb and flights already in the air are emptying from the country.
Israel has closed its airspace to all flights expect aircraft with prior permission until at least 1000 UTC
