In view of the unstable situation in Ukraine, the Austrian Cockpit Association is concerned about the safety of crews who have to fly via Ukraine and/or Belarus. It is claimed that the authorities must guarantee safe airspace for civil aviation.

"In our view, the more soldiers and war material are stationed in disputed areas, the greater the risk of equipment falling into the wrong hands," says Capt. Sebastian Feiner, security expert at ACA. “This situation has many parallels to 2014, when Malaysian Airlines flight MH-17 was shot down by anti-aircraft missiles over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. At that time, probably Russian, Buk M-1 anti-missile systems fell into the hands of anti-defense fighters.

The ACA points out that while most airlines avoid the airlines flying over Ukraine, the final decision to fly an alternative route is up to the airlines. Together with the umbrella organizations ECA and IFALPA, they also work at international level to ensure that airspace is safe. Risk areas should be avoided by civil aircraft. “Unfortunately, economic considerations often stand in the way of an objective risk assessment. It is therefore necessary for the authorities to close airspace over risk areas," said the ACA.

"ACA calls on those responsible in politics and authorities to work with international organizations for the worldwide, reliable protection of civil aviation! In particular, it must be urged that all states ratify the relevant conventions ('Montreal Convention' – ICAO Doc 8966) and implement the required measures,” explains Feiner.