The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued updated guidance on 9 January 2025, advising against flying over western Russian airspace. The move comes amid rising safety concerns following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, last month, which has been linked to Russian air defence activity.
Expanded Warning for Russian Airspace
The latest directive, issued as a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB), extends and replaces previous recommendations under CZIB 2022-01R10. It advises against operations in Russian airspace west of longitude 60° East, at all flight levels. This guidance applies not only to EU airlines, which are already barred from Russian airspace, but also to foreign carriers holding EASA safety authorisations, known as Third-Country Operators.
The new bulletin is valid until 31 July 2025 but remains subject to ongoing security assessments and could be revised or withdrawn based on the evolving situation. EASA, in coordination with the European Commission, continues to monitor the risks posed to operators conducting flights to and from the EU.
Context of the Aktau Crash
The updated guidance follows the 25 December 2024 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight en route from Baku to Grozny, Chechnya. The aircraft deviated from its course and came down in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people. Initial investigations suggest that a Russian Pantsir-S air defence system may have mistakenly identified the plane as a Ukrainian drone and fired upon it.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev criticised Russia’s handling of the incident, accusing Moscow of suppressing evidence and failing to secure airspace near Grozny. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered condolences but stopped short of admitting responsibility. The crash has raised serious concerns about the coordination between Russia’s military and civil aviation authorities.
Broader Implications
EASA’s guidance highlights the growing risks for civil aviation in regions affected by armed conflict. “The ongoing conflict following the Russian invasion of Ukraine poses the risk of civil aircraft being unintentionally targeted in the airspace of the Russian Federation due to possible civil-military coordination deficiencies and the potential for misidentification,” EASA stated.
The Aktau incident is the latest in a series of tragedies underscoring the hazards of flying in conflict zones. It has drawn comparisons to the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine, which led to the establishment of the EU Conflict Zone Alerting System. This system consolidates intelligence on risks in conflict zones and provides unified safety recommendations to protect European travellers and operators.
Current Practices and Future Measures
While EU airlines have ceased flights over Russian airspace since the onset of sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, several non-European carriers continue to use the routes. EASA’s bulletin aims to raise awareness of the heightened risks among these operators and reinforce international aviation safety standards.
The agency’s latest actions are part of a broader European effort to enhance civil aviation safety. Cooperation among EU Member States, institutions, and stakeholders ensures a unified approach to risk management. This includes the sharing of intelligence, conducting safety assessments, and issuing timely updates to mitigate threats.
The tragic crash of the AZAL flight and the ongoing war in Ukraine have once again highlighted the precarious nature of operating in or near conflict zones. As EASA and other international aviation bodies continue to monitor and adapt their recommendations, airlines are urged to exercise caution and prioritise passenger and crew safety above all else. The EU’s unified safety framework and proactive measures remain essential in mitigating risks and protecting lives in increasingly volatile airspaces.
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