US planes banned from flying over Gulf waters controlled by Iran after drone shot down

Air traffic in the region is extremely busy because of the key hub airports of Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai

Gulf tension: Iran controls all the skies in the upper part of the map (ArcGIS)

As tension grows between the US and Iran, American carriers have have been banned from overflying areas of the Gulf where air-traffic control is handled by Tehran.

In the early hours of 21 June, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a “Notice to Airmen” (Notam) – an official instruction to pilots. The FAA says: “Flights are not permitted in the overwater area of the Tehran Flight Information Region until further notice, due to heightened military activities and increased political tensions.”

The order prohibits “US-registered aircraft from operating over the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman”.

It follows the shooting down of a US drone by an Iranian surface-to-air missile on 20 June.

Iran said the drone, which is about the size of a Boeing 737, was in its airspace – a claim rejected by Washington.

The commander of the Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami, said the downing of the drone had sent ”a clear message” to America.

The FAA order cites “concerns involving deconfliction between military activities and civil flight operations”.

While the warning carries legal weight only for US aircraft, it is likely that the no-fly zone will be recognised by many other countries.

KLM and Qantas have said their aircraft will avoid the area. It’s understood British Airways will also adhere to the Notam. A spokesperson told The Independent: “Our safety and security team are constantly liaising with authorities around the world as part of their comprehensive risk assessment into every route we operate.”

With so much commercial aviation flying to and from the key Gulf hubs of Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai, the airspace in the region is extremely busy.

The move may cause particular problems for Qatar Airways, which is banned from the airspace of neighbouring countries including the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia because of a regional conflict.

Many flights to and from the UK use Iranian airspace, but the FAA warning applies only to overwater portions.

In 2014, 298 people died when Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over rebel-held eastern Ukraine. At the time there was no warning against flights at cruising altitude in the airspace.

Three Russians and a Ukrainian have been charged with murder, but are unlikely to face trial. Vladimir Putin said: “The evidence presented proves nothing.”

The FAA adds that any US aircraft making an “unanticipated landing” should contact the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, saying: “The United States does not have an embassy in Iran.”

It says the Gulf warning “will be re-evaluated by 9 September 2019”.