ICAO updates safety guidance for conflict zones

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is updating its recommendations on safety measures and risk assessments for flights over and near areas affected by armed conflicts.

This is said in a statement published on the organization’s website, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

“ICAO is observing heightened risks of civil aircraft being targeted or caught in crossfire, and while the aviation industry is able to reroute flights and maintain operations during conflicts, this operational flexibility does not address the fundamental security threat,” the statement says.

According to the statement, threats to civil aviation have increased significantly due to the use of advanced military technologies, including long-range weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced air defense systems, and means of jamming radio frequencies used by global navigation satellite systems.

“ICAO is updating its Manual Concerning Safety Measures relating to Military Activities and its Risk Assessment Manual for Civil Aircraft Operations Over or Near Conflict Zones, which focus on how authorities and airlines and air navigation services providers can better assess threats from malicious activities,” the statement says.

The UN specialized agency reminded its member states that they must rapidly share information on threats to civil aircraft, strengthen risk-assessment and decision-making mechanisms, and improve coordination between military and civilian authorities to prevent civilian aircraft from being mistakenly identified as military targets.

“The International Civil Aviation Organization is reiterating its calls for stronger commitments from all Member States to protect civilian aircraft from all risks arising from conflict zones,” the organization stressed.

As reported, Ukraine officially informed ICAO that Russian airspace is dangerous for civil aviation due to increased military activity and called on all parties to avoid it.

Photo: Chat GPT