EASA Updates Safety Guidance on Russian Airspace

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a new Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) concerning Russian airspace, expanding its safety recommendations for flights due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The update replaces previous guidance (CZIB 2022-01R10) and advises against operations within Russian airspace west of longitude 60° East at all flight levels. This guidance applies to all EU airlines and third-country carriers holding EASA safety authorization.

The recommendation is effective until July 31, 2025, with the possibility of earlier revisions depending on updates to the safety and security assessment. EASA stated that it will closely monitor developments in coordination with the European Commission to evaluate risks for airlines operating to or from the European Union.

Although no EU airlines currently operate flights in or over Russian airspace, EASA highlighted that some third-country carriers continue to use these routes despite conflict-related risks.

EASA’s directive aligns with the EU Conflict Zone Alerting System, established after the MH17 incident in 2014 to improve risk assessment and ensure coordinated safety measures across the bloc. Since its launch in 2016, the system has facilitated intelligence sharing among EU Member States, EASA, and aviation stakeholders, issuing timely recommendations to address conflict zone risks.

“The primary objective is to consolidate available information and provide a common European perspective on risks for operators and passengers,” the agency states. The system also facilitates cooperation among Member States, EU institutions, and aviation sector stakeholders.

The update to these recommendations addresses the need to continuously assess risks associated with Russian airspace in the context of the conflict in Ukraine, providing guidelines aimed at minimizing potential threats to operators and passengers.