The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has identified several potential risks affecting commercial aviation due to war in Ukraine.
In a recently published safety portfolio, EASA have highlighted multiple safety aspects arising from the Ukrainian conflict, such as the accidental targeting of civil aircraft by missiles.
“As shown by previous wars, misidentification is easy in confused arenas of warfare. The development of this risk is common to all combatants,” EASA outlined in the document.
“If we add in the likelihood of jamming of electronic aids that may be involved with navigation, then it is easy to see the potential for innocent aircraft being subject to missiles or radar laid weapons,” the agency added.
The European aviation regulator also highlighted risks related to GPS jamming, “airspace infringements by military drones or aircraft spilling over from conflict zones”, and civilian aircraft unknowingly entering restricted airspace.
“Military drones and aircraft operating in the conflict zone may inadvertently infringe adjacent civil airspace, leading to losses of separation and a general disruption to operations,” EASA said.
EASA also identified spare part shortages for aircraft and “transition of a civilian airport to mixed civil-military operations” as potential risks to commercial aviation.
According to EASA, the Ukraine war could lead to price increases or shortages of spare parts and other electronic equipment for the European aviation sector. This is valid if components are manufactured in countries directly affected by the crisis or “geopolitically aligned with Russia”.