ICAO Warns of Growing Threat to Civilian Aircraft from Long-Range Weapons, Drones, and GPS Jamming
Why It MattersThe warning pushes airspace risk assessment and civil-military coordination in conflict zones toward the top of aviation safety priorities worldwide.
The International Civil Aviation Organization has warned that civilian aircraft worldwide face heightened risk from the proliferation of long-range weapons systems, unmanned aircraft systems, GNSS radio frequency interference and advanced air defence systems. ICAO said it is observing an increased risk of civil aircraft being targeted or caught in crossfire in conflict zones, noting that rerouting flights does not address the underlying security threat.
ICAO invoked Article 3 bis of the 1944 Convention on Civil Aviation and Assembly Resolution A42-4, both of which prohibit the use of weapons against civilian aircraft, with the resolution having been adopted unanimously at last year's ICAO Assembly. The organization called on its 193 Member States to assess the safety of airspace under their control, take appropriate protective measures, share threat intelligence rapidly, strengthen risk assessment mechanisms, improve timely decision-making, and enhance coordination between military and civilian authorities to prevent misidentification of civilian aircraft as military targets. Aircraft operators were directed to conduct safety and security risk assessments in line with applicable ICAO provisions.
