European Aviation Authority Issues Warning for Flights over Russia
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a significant warning regarding the safety of flights over Russian airspace, stating that such flights are "high-risk." This advisory comes shortly after a tragic incident on December 25, 2024, where an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed in Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities. EASA cited the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine as a primary concern, indicating that civilian aircraft could potentially become targets due to a lack of coordination between military and civilian air operations in the region.
EASA recommended that airlines avoid Western Russian airspace due to these risks. While EU airlines currently do not operate in this airspace, several non-EU carriers, including those from China, Turkey, and Gulf states, continue to fly over Russia, seemingly undeterred by the associated dangers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has restricted EU airlines from utilizing Russian airspace and has apologized for the recent crash, claiming that the Russian air defense system was active during the aircraft's landing attempt. However, he did not accept direct responsibility, leading Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev to demand that Russia acknowledge the accidental shooting down of the plane.
Weekly Newsletter
News summary by melangenews