Middle East Skies Reopen: Rosaviatsia Eases Flight Restrictions Amid Iran-Israel Ceasefire

Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, declared on Friday that it is easing many of the limitations on civilian flights over the Middle East after a period of relative calm due to a ceasefire mediated by the U.S. between Iran and Israel that lasted three days.

These restrictions were first enacted by Rosaviatsia on June 13 following Israel’s unexpected attacks on Iran, which led to a suspension of flights to both countries and limitations on airspace access over Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Iran.

On Tuesday, the agency expanded these limitations to include Qatar after Iran responded to the U.S. bombings of its nuclear facilities by launching rockets at an American military installation near Doha.

After closing its airspace last week, Iran began to gradually reopen its eastern airspace on Wednesday, with plans to completely lift restrictions by Friday afternoon.

With Rosaviatsia’s new regulations, Russian aircraft are now permitted to fly over Iraq, Iran, and Jordan. The restrictions on Qatar were lifted on Thursday.

On Friday, a Mahan Air flight from Mashhad in northeastern Iran successfully landed at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport and returned the same day, as reported by RBC.

Aeroflot, Russia’s major airline, has restarted ticket sales for flights to Tehran, planning to resume operations on July 4. Additionally, Air Arabia, based in the United Arab Emirates, has also begun selling tickets for routes between Russia and Iran starting Friday, as stated by Russia’s Association of Tour Operators.

Nevertheless, Rosaviatsia has kept a partial flight prohibition to Israel in effect from 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Moscow time, continuing until July 12.

“The agency’s specialists are actively monitoring air travel in the region and will quickly inform airlines of any changes to the situation,” the agency stated.