The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has emphasized the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect civilian aircraft from increasing military threats, notably GNSS radio frequency interference. At the opening of the 2026 World Overflight Risk Conference in Malta, ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar highlighted the threats posed by emerging military capabilities that threaten to target or crossfire civilian flights. He stressed that international law alone is no longer sufficient to mitigate these risks.
Salazar pointed to recent regional conflicts, such as the Middle East crisis, which demonstrated both the aviation industry's resilience and its limitations. During escalation, over ten states partially or fully closed their airspace, with ICAO's contingency protocols aiding rerouting but only as temporary solutions. The organization advocates for immediate steps, including rapid threat sharing, improved risk assessment mechanisms, and enhanced coordination between military and civil authorities.
Furthermore, ICAO is finalizing a Global Crisis Management Framework and updating key safety manuals to address these new challenges. Salazar referenced ICAO Assembly Resolution A42-4 and the Chicago Convention’s Article 3 bis, which explicitly prohibit weapons use against civilians, though he admitted that the current regulatory framework has not kept pace with evolving conflict dynamics. These initiatives aim to better safeguard civilian aviation amid rapidly changing security environments.
