ICAO Urges Stronger Protection for Civilian Aviation
ICAO has called on member states to strengthen protections for civil aircraft against conflict-zone threats and navigation jamming.
ICAO Calls for Stronger Safeguards for Civil Aviation
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has urged its member states to strengthen protections for civil aircraft against threats linked to conflict zones, according to an official statement released on 2 September 2026.
ICAO said international commitments must be reinforced as military dangers to civil aviation rise worldwide. The specialized United Nations agency pointed out that modern military technologies — including long-range weapon systems, unmanned aircraft systems, radio-frequency jamming of global navigation satellite systems, and advanced air defense systems — are creating increasing risks for passenger and cargo flights. The organization said the likelihood of civil aircraft being directly targeted or caught in crossfire has grown.
Although the aviation industry can still reroute flights and preserve air links during armed conflicts, ICAO stressed that such operational flexibility does not remove the basic safety threats caused by military activity near commercial flight paths.
The organization referred to Article 3 bis of the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation and Assembly Resolution A42-4, both of which expressly ban the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight. Under Resolution A42-4, titled "Addressing Risks to Civil Aviation Arising in Conflict Zones," member states must assess the safety of airspace under their control and adopt suitable protective measures. Aircraft operators are also required to assess security and safety risks in line with ICAO provisions.
ICAO called on governments to quickly exchange intelligence on possible hazards whenever military or dangerous activities threaten commercial aviation. The agency advised improving risk assessment systems, strengthening real-time decision-making, and enhancing civil-military coordination to avoid civilian aircraft being mistaken for military targets.
To help carry out these measures, ICAO said it is revising its Manual on Civil-Military Cooperation in Air Traffic Management and its Manual on Risk Assessment for Civil Aircraft Operations Over or Near Conflict Zones. The manuals offer updated guidance for civil aviation authorities, airlines, and air navigation service providers to assess emerging threats.
ICAO has 193 member states and sets the global regulatory standards and recommended practices for safe, secure, and sustainable international air transport.