EASA PUBLISHES CONFLICT ZONE INFORMATION BULLETIN FOR UKRAINE
On 24 February, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) with respect to Ukraine, which is now an active conflict area. To date, the CZIB has been updated twice since its publication.
Under the circumstances connected to the launch of military activities over the territory of Ukraine, the affected airspace and critical infrastructure over partial or the entire territory of Ukraine, Russia, Moldova and Belarus, including airports, are exposed to military activities which result in safety risks for civil aircraft. In particular, there is a risk of both intentional targeting and misidentification of civil aircraft. The presence and possible use of a wide range of ground and airborne warfare systems poses a high risk for civil flights operating at all altitudes and flight levels.
As a result, EASA recommends that operators should not operate within the aforementioned airspace, including landing and departures from airports located in the affected airspace. Additionally, operators should exercise caution when operating in the whole FIR Moscow (UUWV) due to heightened military activity which may include launches of mid-range missiles penetrating into controlled airspace. Operators are reminded that operations within FIR MINSK (UMMV) are prohibited in accordance with EASA Safety Directives SD-2021-02 and SD-2021-03.
Latest operational information on ‘Closures and warnings’ issued by means of ICAO State Letters, NOTAMs, AICs/AIPs, EASA CZIB may be found in the Network Manager NOP Portal. The Network Manager will publish the warning information on the Network Manager NOP Portal (public version) informing all Aircraft Operators about the Warning and direct them to the Network Manager NOP Portal (password protected version). In case a State or EASA, as competent authority, has implemented measures prohibiting the operators under its responsibility to use the affected airspace, the Network Manager should reject the FPLs where operations in that airspace are planned.
The situation remains fluid and subject to rapid change. EASA will monitor the developments in respect of this case and will adjust the recommendations accordingly.
Source: EASA