US Federal Aviation Administration "Commercial Aircraft Flight Ban Over Iran, Iraq, and Gulf Region Airspace"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on the 7th (local time) that it has banned U.S. airlines from flying over Iran, Iraq, and the Gulf region, according to reports from AP News and CNN.

According to the reports, the FAA prohibited U.S. aircraft pilots and airlines from operating in the airspace over the territorial waters of Iran, Iraq, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf. The FAA stated that the ban was due to "escalated military activities and heightened political tensions in the Middle East region." The FAA also added, "We will continue to cooperate with national security authorities and share information with U.S. and foreign aviation authorities."

Since 2018, U.S. airlines have been required by FAA guidelines not to fly below 26,000 feet (approximately 7,925 meters) when passing through Iraqi airspace. After Iran shot down a U.S. drone in June last year, flights over Iranian airspace in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman were also banned.

This flight ban was imposed following Iran’s launch of dozens of missiles at U.S. military bases in Iraq. On the same day, Iran announced via state television that it had fired more than ten surface-to-surface missiles at the U.S. Ain al-Asad Airbase and other locations in Iraq on the morning of the 8th local time.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also announced that it has initiated activities to support effective collaboration and communication between airlines and countries amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Singapore Airlines stated that following the attack on the U.S. military base in Iraq, it has rerouted all flights to avoid Iranian airspace.