EU Aviation Safety Agency updates safety guidance on Russian Airspace

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has today issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin for the airspace of the Russian Federation.

To ensure maximum flight safety amid Russia's ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine, the new Conflict Zone Information Bulletin replaces and broadens the scope of the recommendation regarding Russian airspace previously outlined in CZIB 2022-01R10. It advises against operating within the affected Russian airspace west of longitude 60° East, at all flight levels. The recommendation also applies to foreign air carriers that have received a safety authorisation from EASA (Third Country Operators).

The recommendation is valid until 31 July 2025 and can be reviewed earlier and adapted or withdrawn subject to the revised security and safety assessment. EASA, in cooperation with the European Commission, will continue to closely monitor the situation, to assess the risk exposure for EU and third country operators conducting flights to/from the EU.

It is important to note that no EU airlines currently fly to, from or over the airspace of the Russian Federation. However, a number of third-country carriers continue to do so, despite the war-related risks.

Background

Following the downing of flight MH17, the EU established the "EU Conflict Zone Alerting System" to provide consistent advice to airlines and better protect European travellers. Active since early 2016, it facilitates cooperation among EU Member States, institutions, EASA, and aviation stakeholders to share intelligence on risks from conflict zones. The system aims to consolidate information and risk assessments, issuing timely recommendations to enhance safety for Member States, operators, and passengers, while complementing national efforts with a common European risk perspective.

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