ICAO defines conflict zones as areas where conflict is occurring or likely to occur between militarized parties, which may include both State and non-State actors. The definition also applies to areas where such parties are in a heightened state of tension.

Due to the dynamic political situation across the world, conflict zones persist and change, sometimes suddenly and/or unpredictably, exposing civil aviation to the risk of collateral damage or targeted attack.

According to ICAO Standards it is the responsibility of Member States to close any airspace over their territory in which the safety and security of air traffic cannot be guaranteed. Unfortunately, Member States do not adhere to this in all cases.

Airlines shall avoid operations over or near conflict zones whenever feasible, as such routes inherently carry elevated safety and security risks.

When, despite the recommendation that airlines avoid operations over or near conflict zones, airlines consider operations over or near conflict zones, ECA recommends the following:

• Airline risk assessments must:
  • Comply with EASA AMC2 ORO.GEN.200(a)(3) Management system – Risks associated with flying over or near conflict zones - CAT operations with aeroplanes, as well as with ICAO Doc 10084 – Risk Assessment Manual for Civil Aircraft Operations Over or Near Conflict Zones.
  • Integrate information from open-source intelligence, governmental and intergovernmental briefings, and EASA Conflict Zone Information Bulletins (CZIBs) that include relevant recommendations and information, as tasked under Article 88 of Reg. (EU) 2018/1139 (EASA Basic Regulation).
  • Include structured input from flight crew representatives to ensure operational perspectives are considered.
• The results of risk assessments must comply with the precautionary principle, considering that:
  • When data from risk assessments conducted by airlines and Member States is incomplete, uncertain, or rapidly evolving, flight crews/airlines shall suspend operations immediately, until a re-evaluation can be made
  • The information, security situation or level of hazard to individual airlines may be different for the same conflict zone, thereby resulting in different risk assessment results
• Airlines shall be required to transmit all relevant security information in a detailed, clear and timely manner to flight crews, both at pre-flight briefing and inflight
• Airlines should recognise the mental and emotional strain conflict zone operations can impose on flight crews, and therefore the commander's decision shall be final
• Individual crew members shall be able to refuse and step away from duty into conflict zones
• Airlines shall have in place clear contingency and evacuation plans for crews in the event of attacks and/or airport instability

The summary above is an abridged version of the paper. For the full text as prepared by ECA's experts and approved by the Executive Board, please see the attached position paper.

Please note that this paper supersedes the ECA Position Paper on this subject published in 2021.