EASA Expands Russia Airspace Warning, Routes Affected
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has expanded its advisory against operating in western and central Russian airspace. The new directive, issued on January 9, 2025, warns airlines to avoid areas west of 60 degrees east longitude due to heightened risks of civilian aircraft being targeted by Russian air defense systems. This follows increased activation of these systems in response to Ukrainian missile and drone incursions, which have extended deeper into Russian territory.
The updated Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) highlights the potential dangers to flight operations near major international airports in western Russia. EASA emphasized that Russian air defense systems are capable of targeting aircraft at all altitudes, posing a significant risk to civilian aviation. While Russia has implemented temporary airspace closures near its border with Ukraine and around certain airports with active defense systems, EASA noted that incidents have occurred even in fully operational airspace.
One notable example cited by the regulator is the December 23, 2024, crash of an AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Preliminary investigations suggest the aircraft sustained damage from air defense activity while attempting to land at Grozny before diverting to Kazakhstan. The crash underscores the potential hazards in the region, prompting EASA’s expanded advisory.
The CZIB, which is advisory and not legally binding, will remain in effect until July 31, 2025. It covers key Russian aviation hubs, including Moscow’s airports, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, and Ufa. While Ekaterinburg lies just outside the advisory boundary, airlines operating in the region face challenges navigating the airspace.
For European carriers, the advisory has limited immediate impact, as EU airlines are already banned from Russian airspace due to sanctions imposed on Russia. However, non-European airlines that continue to operate in Russian airspace have begun adjusting their routes. For example, AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines suspended its flights to Kazan indefinitely on January 8 and had previously halted services to multiple cities in southeastern Russia near the Ukrainian border. Georgian Airways also announced it will pause flights from Tbilisi to Novosibirsk on January 19, citing the need to overfly the advisory area to reach the destination.
The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) dismissed the advisory as “absurd,” accusing EASA of attempting to restrict Asian airlines from using Russian airspace to maintain Europe’s competitive edge. Rosaviatsia asserted that EASA’s actions are politically motivated rather than grounded in safety concerns.
As the advisory remains in place, airlines are reevaluating routes to ensure passenger and crew safety. The increased caution reflects the broader impact of the ongoing conflict on global aviation, with airspace restrictions creating logistical challenges and altering international flight networks. EASA’s warning aims to mitigate risks, though its implications extend beyond European carriers, affecting global aviation dynamics and operations across Eurasia.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com