Israel
Risk Level: One - Do Not Fly
[ about risk levels ]
The primary risk is from rocket and missile attacks - from Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and directly from Iran. On 1 Oct 2024, Israel launched a ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Later that day, Iran launched a series of missiles at Israel. Iran launched a similar attack in April 2024. There remains a significant risk within the LLLL/Tel Aviv FIR from the ongoing conflict and situation. Most foreign airlines are now avoiding LLBG/Tel Aviv airport. See OPSGROUP Briefing: Situation: Middle East / Israel – Oct 2024
The secondary risk is a multitude of factors from operating in a conflict zone: misidentification, debris from air defences, GPS spoofing, false EGPWS alerts (now common in Israeli airspace), and reduced route and diversion options in the event of an aircraft emergency.
Major Events:
Oct 2024: Iran launched a series of missiles at Israel on Oct 1.
Sep 2024: EASA issued new CZIB recommending against flights in airspace of Israel (replaced on Oct 9 with new warning to just do a risk assessment).
Apr 2024: Iran launched a series of missiles at Israel on Apr 14.
Oct 2023: Major offensive against Hamas launched by Israel, conflict ongoing.
Aug 2021: Following an Israeli airstrike on Syria, Syria sent a surface to air missile towards Tel Aviv. The missile detonated off the coast of Israel and there was no damage.
May 2021: LLBG/Tel Aviv Airport was forced to close on several occasions, as air defence systems were activated around the country to repel incoming rocket attacks.
July 2014: Major rocket fire from Gaza against Tel Aviv during the Gaza War. The US FAA responded by imposing restrictions at LLBG/Tel Aviv airport for a two day period, and EASA advised that operators suspend flights, which ultimately resulted in 30 airlines cancelling flights.
The secondary risk is a multitude of factors from operating in a conflict zone: misidentification, debris from air defences, GPS spoofing, false EGPWS alerts (now common in Israeli airspace), and reduced route and diversion options in the event of an aircraft emergency.
Major Events:
Oct 2024: Iran launched a series of missiles at Israel on Oct 1.
Sep 2024: EASA issued new CZIB recommending against flights in airspace of Israel (replaced on Oct 9 with new warning to just do a risk assessment).
Apr 2024: Iran launched a series of missiles at Israel on Apr 14.
Oct 2023: Major offensive against Hamas launched by Israel, conflict ongoing.
Aug 2021: Following an Israeli airstrike on Syria, Syria sent a surface to air missile towards Tel Aviv. The missile detonated off the coast of Israel and there was no damage.
May 2021: LLBG/Tel Aviv Airport was forced to close on several occasions, as air defence systems were activated around the country to repel incoming rocket attacks.
July 2014: Major rocket fire from Gaza against Tel Aviv during the Gaza War. The US FAA responded by imposing restrictions at LLBG/Tel Aviv airport for a two day period, and EASA advised that operators suspend flights, which ultimately resulted in 30 airlines cancelling flights.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | Notam UUUU A7810/24 | 11 Nov 2024 | 12 Dec 2024 | |
| EASA | CZIB 2024-02 R1 | 09 Oct 2024 | 31 Oct 2024 | |
| Canada | AIC 21/24 | 10 Oct 2023 | Ongoing | |
| Italy | AIC 33/23 | 10 Jul 2023 | 05 Oct 2024 |
Source: Russia
Reference: Notam UUUU A7810/24
Issued: 11-Nov-24, valid until: 12 Dec 2024
Plain English: Russia operators are banned from flying to Israel at night.
ATTENTION RUSSIAN AIR OPERATORS. DUE TO REMAINING HAZARD TO CIVIL AVIATION FLIGHT SAFETY, RESTRICTIONS ON NIGHT DEPATURES FROM 2200 UTC UNTIL 0400 UTC FROM AIRPORTS OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO AIRPORTS OF ISRAEL ARE IMPOSED BY FEDERAL AIR TRANSPORT AGENCY OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION. OPERATORS ARE REQUESTED TO MAKE DECISIONS ON OPERATING FLIGHT TO THE STATE OF ISRAEL DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PROVISIONS STATED IN RISK ASSESMENT MANUAL FOR CIVIL ACFT OPERATIONS OVER OR NEAR CONFILICT ZONES (ICAO DOC 10084 SECOND EDITION, 2018). 11 NOV 15:00 2024 UNTIL 11 DEC 23:59 2024 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 11 NOV 11:44 2024
Source: EASA
Reference: CZIB 2024-02 R1
Issued: 09-Oct-24, valid until: 31 Oct 2024
Plain English: EASA recommends operators to conduct a stringent risk assessment for flights in the airspace of Israel. (Replaces previous CZIB issued on Sep 28 recommending against all flights to Israel).
This CZIB is issued based on information currently available to EASA and the European Commission to share necessary information for ensuring the safety of flights over zones of interest.
The current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel involves rockets, missiles and drones launches from Lebanon with Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire, including systematic activation of air-defence systems.
Hezbollah’s possession of all-altitude capable cruise and ballistic missiles, along with the deployment of air assets operating at various altitudes, increases the risk of misidentification and miscalculation.
Additionally, missiles and military-grade weaponised drones launched by Hezbollah allies create additional concerns for the safety of airspace in the region.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the State of Israel has demonstrated its ability to efficiently manage the risks to civil aviation in its airspace to date. However, it is considered that the current intensity of the conflict and high level of tensions with Iran pose risks to civil aviation requiring adequate mitigation measures to be implemented by air operators.
EASA will continue to closely monitor the situation, with a view to assess whether there is an increase or decrease of the risk for EU aircraft operators due to the evolution of the threat and risk situation.
EASA recommends air operators to implement a stringent monitoring process and risk assessment for each flight when intending to operate within the airspace of Israel.
The outcome of the risk assessment process should allow to reasonably determine the level of risk for each flight resulting in a decision:
1) to continue the operations subject to the implementation of mitigations or additional contingency measures; or
2) not to operate in the entirety or in part of the affected airspace, at any or at specific flight level.
The risk assessment and mitigation measures should ensure that a flight does not commence or continue as planned unless it has been verified by all reasonable means that the airspace can be safely used for the planned operation.
Air operators should closely monitor airspace developments in the region and follow all available aeronautical publications concerning the region issued by Israel, including information shared through the European Information Sharing and Cooperation Platform on Conflict Zones, alongside available guidance or direction from their national authorities.
The current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel involves rockets, missiles and drones launches from Lebanon with Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire, including systematic activation of air-defence systems.
Hezbollah’s possession of all-altitude capable cruise and ballistic missiles, along with the deployment of air assets operating at various altitudes, increases the risk of misidentification and miscalculation.
Additionally, missiles and military-grade weaponised drones launched by Hezbollah allies create additional concerns for the safety of airspace in the region.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the State of Israel has demonstrated its ability to efficiently manage the risks to civil aviation in its airspace to date. However, it is considered that the current intensity of the conflict and high level of tensions with Iran pose risks to civil aviation requiring adequate mitigation measures to be implemented by air operators.
EASA will continue to closely monitor the situation, with a view to assess whether there is an increase or decrease of the risk for EU aircraft operators due to the evolution of the threat and risk situation.
EASA recommends air operators to implement a stringent monitoring process and risk assessment for each flight when intending to operate within the airspace of Israel.
The outcome of the risk assessment process should allow to reasonably determine the level of risk for each flight resulting in a decision:
1) to continue the operations subject to the implementation of mitigations or additional contingency measures; or
2) not to operate in the entirety or in part of the affected airspace, at any or at specific flight level.
The risk assessment and mitigation measures should ensure that a flight does not commence or continue as planned unless it has been verified by all reasonable means that the airspace can be safely used for the planned operation.
Air operators should closely monitor airspace developments in the region and follow all available aeronautical publications concerning the region issued by Israel, including information shared through the European Information Sharing and Cooperation Platform on Conflict Zones, alongside available guidance or direction from their national authorities.
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 21/24
Issued: 10-Oct-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Caution to Canadian operators in the LLLL/Tel Aviv FIR due to potential risk from military activity.
Level 1 (Information)
Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are advised to take all potential risk information into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within FIR Tel Aviv (LLLL). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are advised to take all potential risk information into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within FIR Tel Aviv (LLLL). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
Source: Italy
Reference: AIC 33/23
Issued: 10-Jul-23, valid until: 05 Oct 2024
Plain English: Italian operators should exercise caution in the LLLL/Tel Aviv FIR and follow Notams and ATC instructions closely (Israel might publish restrictions at short notice when air defenses are repelling attacks from Gaza and Syria).
Air carriers and pilots in command are requested to exercise enhanced caution when overflying or operating flights to Israel (FIR LLLL - Tel Aviv). It is requested to follow instructions from Israeli authorities providing air traffic management, and to pay particular attention to restrictions or interdictions published by notam with very short notice, due to a potentially fast evolving situation.