Attention:
Canadian air operators, Canadian pilots, and owners of aircraft registered in Canada
| File Classification No.: | Z 5000-35 |
|---|---|
| RDIMS No.: | 21389943 |
| Document No.: | CASA 2026-06 |
| Issue No.: | 01 |
| Effective Date: | 2026-04-22 |
Purpose:
The purpose of this Civil Aviation Safety Alert is to alert Canadian aircraft operators, Canadian pilots, and owners of aircraft registered in Canada, to the risks conflict zones pose to civil aviation operations worldwide. It is also intended to highlight risk information made available by the Department of Transport.
Background:
The Minister of Transport is responsible for the assessment of specific threats and risks concerning flight operations within the framework of the Aeronautics Act. Transport Canada, on behalf of the Minister, monitors the safety and security of airspace used by Canadian registered aircraft and conducts assessments when there are changes in the safety or security situation in these airspaces.
When it is perceived or assessed that the State responsible for managing an airspace is not properly mitigating existing risks to civil aviation, Transport Canada can issue a notification, either informative, advisory or prohibitive in nature (under Section 5.1 of the Aeronautics Act in the case of a prohibition or restriction), with regards to that airspace or part of that airspace.
Foreign States may issue notifications for various reasons for their own airspace, and the Canadian notifications are to be considered in addition to a foreign State’s issued notifications as part of route planning and decision making.
All Canadian NOTAMs (information of temporary nature) and Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) (information of more permanent nature) relating to conflict zone issues are available on NAV CANADA’S flight planning website. We strongly encourage pilots, operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada to check NAV CANADA’s website to ensure that they have the latest information available.
It is possible that other States’ advice may differ from that provided by Canada. Canadian advice concerning foreign conflict zones represent the best advice available from Canadian Government sources in support of the risk assessment of Canadian flight operations. Canadian civil air operators and pilots planning to operate in airspace covered by Canadian NOTAMs or AIC entries are encouraged to contact Transport Canada in advance of their flight operations to ensure they have the latest available information to inform their own risk assessment.
As part of the international response to conflict zone related incidents, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has consistently been improving its guidance on the matter in the last decade, including the Doc 10084 – Risk Assessment Manual for Civil Aircraft Operations Over or Near Conflict Zones. The document is available free of charge on ICAO’s website. Anyone intending to operate in, over or near a conflict zone should become familiar with the risks and the mitigation measures associated with such operations.
Recommended action:
Any Canadian pilot or aircraft operator intending to fly internationally, particularly in, over or near active conflict zones, should monitor Transport Canada issued foreign airspace NOTAMs and the dedicated AIC titled ‘Notifications on overflying conflict zones issued by Transport Canada’; and, consider contacting Transport Canada’s Conflict Zone Information Office for safety and security advice. The active NOTAM(s) and current AIC can be found on NAV CANADA’S website.
Contact office:
For more information concerning this issue, contact Transport Canada’s Conflict Zone Information Office (Monday to Friday, 0800-1700) at ConflictZoneInfoOffice-BureauInfoZonesConflit@tc.gc.ca; or, after hours, Aviation Operations (for emergency situations only) at operations.aviation@ tc.gc.ca or at 613-992-6853 / 1-877-992-6853 (for immediate response in emergency situation only).
Original signed by
John Velho
Director
International Aviation Branch
The Transport Canada Civil Aviation Safety Alert (CASA) is used to convey important safety information and contains recommended action items. The CASA strives to assist the aviation industry's efforts to provide a service with the highest possible degree of safety. The information contained herein is often critical and must be conveyed to the appropriate office in a timely manner. The CASA may be changed or amended should new information become available.