Position Paper IFALPA: Flights Into and Over Conflict Zones

Due to the dynamic political situation across the world, conflict zones persist and change, sometimes suddenly and/or unpredictably, exposing civil aviation to the risk of collateral damage or targeted attack. According to ICAO regulations, it is the responsibility of Member States to close any airspace over their territory in which the safety and security of air traffic cannot be guaranteed. Unfortunately, Member States do not adhere to this obligation in many cases (...)

Safety Bulletin IFALPA: Flying Into and Over Conflict Zones

As the war in Ukraine continues, the Federation is receiving worrying reports of military and non-military projectiles crossing FIRs adjacent to Ukrainian airspace. The latest event involved a UAS-type projectile crashing in the outskirts of Zagreb on 12 March, after flying through both the Bucharest and the Budapest FIRs.

Press Release ECA/IFALPA : International Pilot Organizations Statement of Support for Ukraine

As the war in Ukraine intensifies, IFALPA and ECA stand in solidarity with the pilots, crew, and people of Ukraine: “We are deeply concerned for our Ukrainian friends and colleagues who are facing a Russian attack against their country, their freedom, and their people,” says Jack Netskar, IFALPA President (...)

Press release ECA: Flying to and over Ukraine: European response again inconsistent

The lack of clarity, coordination and guidance to pilots about overflying and flying to Ukraine at times of a developing serious military conflict is a great concern. Despite two disastrous events in the recent past – the MH17 and PS752 – pilots (and airline passengers) were still facing diverging airline decisions, and reliance on the decision-making capabilities of the conflict-stressed state to restrict its airspace. The designated aim of the European States to improve the risk assessment by better information exchange and coordinating the required measures has been unsuccessful.