UAE extends partial airspace restrictions

The United Arab Emirates has extended its partial closure of airspace until April 13, according to a source in Middle East air traffic control circles, as regional aviation continues to face operational constraints linked to ongoing security concerns.

The partial closure will remain in effect until 1200 UTC on April, the source told Russian media.

In response to the restrictions, six air corridors have been designated for civil aviation to access neighbouring airspace, including routes through Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Aviation authorities in the UAE have previously urged international airlines planning flights to the country to carefully assess operational risks and to obtain formal clearance confirming no objections from the authorities before departure.

The measures have been in place since February 28, when the launch of a military operation involving the United States and Israel against Iran prompted heightened regional tensions and disruptions to air traffic.

While parts of the region remain open under specific permissions, including limited overflights in Qatar and select authorisations in Syria, airspace in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait and Iran has remained largely closed for 39 days, with periodic flight suspensions also reported in Israel.

By Aghakazim Guliyev