Berlin (EFE). The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised European airlines to avoid flying in Iranian airspace and to take precautions regarding neighbouring countries, due to tensions in the region and the possibility of military intervention by the United States. The agency warned that Iran’s air defenses are on alert, which increases the possibility of mistaking an aircraft for a threat. The existence and potential use of weaponry and air defence systems, along with state responses and the possible activation of ground-to-air missile systems, pose risks to civil flights. In the scenario of a military action by the United States, the possibility of retaliation against its bases in the Middle East cannot be ruled out, which could create risks in the airspace of neighbouring nations, such as Iraq. For this reason, airlines should bypass Iranian airspace and establish emergency plans concerning the airspace of surrounding countries, paying attention to the location of U.S. bases. The agency concluded that EASA, the Commission, and member states will continue to monitor the situation to determine whether there is an increase or decrease in risk for European aircraft operators, depending on the evolution of the threat and the risk situation.
