scope:

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This manual contains advice to States, aircraft operators, (civil and military) air navigation service providers (ANSPs), and other entities deemed appropriate on the subject of risk assessments for civil aircraft operations over or near conflict zones. It contains consolidated guidance to support implementation of relevant ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), ICAO guidance material and industry best practices. It covers the risk from both deliberate acts and unintentional hazards to civil aircraft operations over or near conflict zones.

Noting that States should notify threats and hazards in their sovereign and delegated airspace, and to coordinate activities so as to minimize any such threats and hazards, this manual aims to provide broad advice on the global risks to civil aviation, and from this to identify the main risk factors that could be taken into account by States, aircraft operators, and ANSPs in conducting their own more geographically-specific risk assessments. It is important to note that ultimately the operators and service providers are the entities that will conduct an operational risk assessment specific to the type and extent of their approved operations.

The manual focuses primarily on the risk posed by long-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) as these are currently considered to pose the most significant risk to civil aircraft operating over or near conflict zones. However, some of the considerations and conclusions would apply also to air-to-air missiles launched from fighter aircraft. The manual does not cover the risk that arises at lower altitudes (including during take-off and landing phases) from shorterrange SAMs such as Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS), which has been the subject of other assessments.¹

The decision as to whether a civil aircraft will be flown through airspace that could otherwise be considered unsafe relies on the various parties involved, i.e., the State that manages the airspace, aircraft operators, ANSPs, the State of the Operator, ICAO, regional civil aviation authorities, and other stakeholders. This manual describes the roles, responsibilities and/or activities of such parties, which are largely based on the applicable provisions contained in Annex 6 - Operation of Aircraft, Annex 11 - Air Traffic Services, Annex 15 - Aeronautical Information Services, Annex 17 - Security, and Annex 19 - Safety Management, as well as related guidance material (ICAO Aviation Security Global Risk Context Statement (Restricted), Docs 8126, 8973 (Restricted), 9426, 9433, 9554, 9859, 9985, and 10088). The manual also describes the risk assessment processes leading to final decision-making and provides best practice examples drawn from States and industry.

¹. Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) - Restricted, ICAO, First Edition, July 2015.