EU aviation watchdog issued warning over Russian airspace flights

EASA issues a safety alert advising against flights in key Russian airspace, citing risks tied to the Ukraine conflict and a recent crash. Guidance applies until July 2025.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a new safety alert advising to avoid operations within Russian airspace.

Agency’s Friday bulletin reads that EU aviation safety watchdog broadened the scope of airspace deemed unsafe for civilian flights “citing ongoing risks linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and following the crash of the AZAL aircraft late last year.”

In particular, it advises avoiding operations in Russian airspace west of longitude 60° East, at all flight levels. Russian agency RBC reported that the mentioned airspace covered Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg and Samara among other cities.

“The warning applies to all airlines operating under EASA’s jurisdiction, including third-country carriers holding EASA safety authorisation. While no EU airlines currently use Russian airspace for flights, several non-EU carriers continue to operate in the region despite the associated risks,” the bulletin reads.

This updated guidance will remain in effect until 31 July 2025 but may be revised or withdrawn earlier, depending on future safety and security assessments.

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