Military or terrorist conflicts may occur in any State at any time and pose risks to civil aviation. This is why it’s important for governments, aircraft operators, and other airspace users such as air navigation service providers (ANSPs), to work together to share the most up-to-date conflict zone risk-based information possible to assure the safety of civilian flights.

Per their responsibilities as signatories to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), ICAO Member States are obliged to promptly communicate potential risks to safe and secure civil aviation operations in their sovereign or delegated airspace, including those relating to conflict zones. They undertake these efforts through the Aviation Security Point of Contact (POC) Network or through regional contingency mechanisms.

In addition, the airlines registered in States’ territories will often also conduct their own proprietary conflict zone risk assessments, including via third-party security monitoring providers, in order to safely plan their routes and operations based on the latest information available.

You may learn more about ICAO’s requirements and guidance to assist States, operators and ANSPs regarding conflict zone risks in the following guidance material: