The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a revised Conflict Zone Advisory on Tuesday, extending its recommendation to airlines to not fly to Israel until May 27, 2026.
The extension effectively “freezes” the return of low-cost and national European airlines, including Lufthansa Group, Wizz Air, and other carriers.
Though previous extensions usually occurred in increments of five to seven days, this one is a longer, fifteen-day extension.
In a previous advisory in early April, the EASA cited risks of “ongoing military activity” in the region, recommending a halt on flights to Israel and the Middle East and Persian Gulf region as a whole.
They cite ceasefire instability and hostilities in Lebanon and the Gulf, and will revise the recommendation should the situation stabilize.
“Freeze” on the return of low-cost and national European airlines
“While the overall level of risk has decreased in the region, the sustainability of the ceasefire remains uncertain in the longer term, with a possibility of rapid escalation. Therefore, close monitoring and up-to-date risk assessments remain essential to ensure the safety of flights,” the EASA wrote in a statement.
“EASA, together with the Commission and Member States, will continue to closely monitor the situation, with a view to assessing whether there is an increase or decrease of the risk for EU aircraft operators due to the evolution of the threat and risk situation.”
