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. As of Sep 28, EASA is recommending against flights to Israel. 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 recommends against flights in airspace of Israel and Lebanon.
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 recommends against flights in airspace of Israel and Lebanon.
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 A6785/24 | 02 Oct 2024 | 03 Nov 2024 | |
| EASA | CZIB 2024-02 | 28 Sep 2024 | 31 Oct 2024 | |
| Russia | Notam UUUU A6546/24 | 25 Sep 2024 | 02 Oct 2024 | |
| Canada | AIC 13/24 | 10 Oct 2023 | Ongoing | |
| Italy | AIC 33/23 | 10 Jul 2023 | 05 Oct 2024 |
Source: Russia
Reference: Notam UUUU A6785/24
Issued: 02-Oct-24, valid until: 03 Nov 2024
Plain English: Russia has banned its operators from flying at night (between 16-06z) in the airspace of Israel, Iran, and Iraq.
ATTENTION TO RUSSIAN OPERATORS. DUE TO THREAT TO SEFETY OF CIVIL ACFT OPS, FLIGHTS TO/FROM AIRPORTS OF ISRAEL AND IRAN AS WELL AS FLIGHTS WI AIRSPACE OF ISRAEL, IRAN AND IRAQ WILL BE SUSPENDED DRG 1600-0600 UTC. OPERATORS ARE RECOMMENDED TO STAY HIGHLY VIGILANT, WHEN PERFORMING FLIGHTS WI AIRSPACE OF THESE COUNTRIES AND USE ALTN ROUTES, PUBLISHED IN NOTAM OF THESE COUNTRIES. 02 OCT 12:30 2024 UNTIL 02 NOV 23:59 2024 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 02 OCT 08:56 2024
Source: EASA
Reference: CZIB 2024-02
Issued: 28-Sep-24, valid until: 31 Oct 2024
Plain English: New EASA CZIB: EASA recommends not to operate within the airspace of Israel at all flight levels.
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 and indicating areas of high risk.
Considering the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, there is a high risk to civil aviation. The conflict 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, cruise missiles and military-grade weaponised drones launched by Hezbollah allies create additional concerns for the safety of airspace in the region.
Although, until now the Civil Aviation Authority of the State of Israel has been efficiently managing the risks to civil aviation in its airspace through a tactical deconfliction, it is considered that the current intensity of the conflict represents an overall high risk to civil aviation.
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 not to operate within the airspace of Israel at all flight levels.
Considering the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, there is a high risk to civil aviation. The conflict 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, cruise missiles and military-grade weaponised drones launched by Hezbollah allies create additional concerns for the safety of airspace in the region.
Although, until now the Civil Aviation Authority of the State of Israel has been efficiently managing the risks to civil aviation in its airspace through a tactical deconfliction, it is considered that the current intensity of the conflict represents an overall high risk to civil aviation.
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 not to operate within the airspace of Israel at all flight levels.
Source: Russia
Reference: Notam UUUU A6546/24
Issued: 25-Sep-24, valid until: 02 Oct 2024
Plain English: Russian operators prohibited from LLBG/Tel Aviv at night, daylight ops only.
DUE TO UNSTABLE MILITARY AND POLITICAL SITUATION IN ISRAEL, WIE UNTIL 0900 UTC 021024 (EST), RESTRICTIONS ON NGT DEP BTN 2200 UTC AND 0400 UTC FROM AIRPORTS OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO AIRPORTS OF STATE OF ISRAEL IMPOSED BY FEDERAL AIR TRANSPORT AGENCY OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. AIR CARRIERS SHALL PLAN FLT OPS TO STATE OF ISRAEL AT DAYTIME AFTER RISK ASSESSMENT WITH ACCOUNT FOR PROVISIONS AS PER RISK ASSESSMENT MANUAL FOR CIV ACFT OPS OVER OR NEAR CONFLICT ZONES (ICAO DOC 10084 SECOND EDITION, 2018). 25 SEP 05:31 2024 UNTIL 02 OCT 09:00 2024 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 25 SEP 05:50 2024
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 13/24
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.