EASA fears terrorist strike; asks airline operators to be ‘extremely cautious’

Fearing a terrorist strike, the European air safety agency has warned airline operators to exercise “extreme caution” while flying over Pakistani airspace following a similar warning from French authorities asking planes not to fly below 24,000 feet.

The latest Safety Information Bulletin issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) says “National aviation authorities are reporting an increased risk to flight operation safety due to potential terrorist attacks in Pakistan”.

Indian authorities have said they have already advised the airlines to be extremely cautious while using Pakistani airspace and maintain a safe flight level to avert any unfortunate incident.

“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 said.

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.