Fearing terror attacks, EU air safety agency calls for 'extreme caution' while flying in Pakistan airspace
European Aviation Safety Agency air safety cautions flight operators against flying below 24,000 feet in Pakistan
PHOTO: REUTERS
Fearing terror attacks, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) warned airline operators to exercise "extreme caution" while flying over or within Pakistan’s airspace.
"National aviation authorities are reporting an increased risk to flight operation safety due to potential terrorist attacks in Pakistan,” the EASA said.
The European air safety agency recommended planes not to fly below 24,000 feet in the latest safety information bulletin issued on their website.
"The Agency draws the aviation community's attention to information... That indicate the existence of an increased risk to the safety of international civil flights and airspace restrictions implemented as a consequence," it added.
The agency recommended that all operators should exercise "extreme caution if planning to fly into, out of, within or above Pakistan airspace and to monitor all relevant information, including NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen).”
The action of the agency, which is the EU authority for air safety, follows a circular from French Aeronautical Information Service (SIA) which had said that from January 17, 2015, and until further notice, French airliners are to ensure that their aircraft maintain at all times a flight level equal to or above 24,000 feet in the airspace of Pakistan.
EASA's works include the strategy and safety management, the certification of aviation products and the oversight of approved organisations and EU member states.
"National aviation authorities are reporting an increased risk to flight operation safety due to potential terrorist attacks in Pakistan,” the EASA said.
The European air safety agency recommended planes not to fly below 24,000 feet in the latest safety information bulletin issued on their website.
"The Agency draws the aviation community's attention to information... That indicate the existence of an increased risk to the safety of international civil flights and airspace restrictions implemented as a consequence," it added.
The agency recommended that all operators should exercise "extreme caution if planning to fly into, out of, within or above Pakistan airspace and to monitor all relevant information, including NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen).”
The action of the agency, which is the EU authority for air safety, follows a circular from French Aeronautical Information Service (SIA) which had said that from January 17, 2015, and until further notice, French airliners are to ensure that their aircraft maintain at all times a flight level equal to or above 24,000 feet in the airspace of Pakistan.
EASA's works include the strategy and safety management, the certification of aviation products and the oversight of approved organisations and EU member states.