The International Civil Aviation Organization has called for stronger protection of civil aircraft operating in and near conflict zones, warning that long-range weapons, drones, GNSS interference and advanced air-defence systems are increasing risks worldwide. The Montreal-based agency urged states and aviation stakeholders to step up airspace safety checks and improve coordination as airlines continue to face operational threats in volatile regions.
ICAO warned that civilian aircraft face a rising danger of being targeted or caught in crossfire, and stressed that the ability to reroute does not remove the underlying safety risk. It called on member states to assess the safety of airspace under their control, share threat intelligence more quickly, strengthen risk-assessment and decision-making processes, and improve military-civil coordination to reduce the chance of civilian aircraft being mistaken for military targets.
The organisation is also revising two guidance documents covering military activity and flight-risk assessment over or near conflict zones. The warning comes as airlines, air navigation providers and national authorities continue to treat conflict-zone management as an active operational concern, with broader attention also on the safety of Russian airspace for civil aviation even though ICAO did not name any country in its statement.