ICAO Calls on Member States to Strengthen Protection of Civil Aircraft in Conflict Zones
Why It MattersThe warning underscores growing pressure on operators and states to improve threat-sharing and military-civilian coordination as conflict-zone risks to civil aviation escalate globally.
The International Civil Aviation Organization has updated its recommendations on protecting civil aviation operating near or over conflict zones, warning that civilian aircraft face heightened risk of being targeted or caught in crossfire. ICAO said that while airlines can reroute flights and maintain operations during conflicts, this operational flexibility does not address the underlying security threat to civilian aircraft.
The UN agency noted that threats to civil aviation have increased significantly due to the use of long-range weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced air defense systems, and jamming of radio frequencies used by satellite navigation systems. ICAO reiterated calls for member states to rapidly share information on threats, 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.
"ICAO is reiterating its calls for stronger commitments from all Member States to protect civilian aircraft from all risks arising from conflict zones," the organization stated. Separately, Ukraine has officially informed ICAO that Russian airspace is dangerous for civil aviation due to increased military activity and called on all parties to avoid it.
