European aviation regulator lifts recommendation to avoid Israeli airspace

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifts a recommendation against operating in Israeli airspace, instead warning airlines to have strict risk monitoring procedures for flights over the country.

“The European Commission and European Union Aviation Safety Agency have updated the Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) for Israel issued on September 28. The revised CZIB recommends air operators to implement a stringent monitoring process and risk assessment for each flight when intending to operate within the airspace of Israel,” it says.

“The recommendation is valid until October 31 and can be reviewed earlier and adapted or withdrawn subject to the revised assessment,” it adds.

The recommendation issued on September 28, after Israel confirmed the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, suggested that airlines “not operate within the airspaces of Lebanon and Israel at all flight levels.”