Travellers should be confident their civilian flights won’t face risks from conflict zones.
Through the Safer Skies Initiative, Canada is working with states, international organizations, the civil aviation industry, and the International Civil Aviation Organization to make travelling over or near conflict zones safer and more secure for civilian airlines.
On this page:
- Conflict Zone Information Office
- Safer Skies Consultative Committee
- Safer Skies Forum
- News releases
- Speeches
- Related links
Conflict Zone Information Office
The Conflict Zone Information Office monitors high risk areas and gives guidance to Canadian air carriers operating in those areas. The office notifies air carriers when risks are too high in a certain airspace. See the list of alerts for Canadian airlines flying over or near conflict zones here.
Safer Skies Consultative Committee
Canada created the Safer Skies Consultative Committee in July 2020 as part of the Safer Skies Initiative. The Committee brings together subject-matter experts from states, international organizations, and industry. It provides a formal international platform to discuss how conflict zones affect civil aviation.
The Committee meets regularly to share best practices and information. It recommends global standards and guidance on reducing the risks from conflict zones for civil aviation. The Committee works with states and the International Civil Aviation Organization to advocate for everything related to conflict zones.
Safer Skies Forum
It requires effort and international collaboration to make our skies safer. The Safer Skies Forum is a global event focused on conflict zone risk management. The first Safer Skies Forum took place virtually from December 8-9, 2020.
The second Safer Skies Forum was hosted virtually by Canada and the Safer Skies Consultative Committee on March 29-30, 2022. It brought together 365 expert partners representing over 55 countries and regions around the world, as well as international organizations, and the civil aviation industry.
The third Safer Skies Forum was co-hosted by Canada and the Netherlands in The Hague in June 2023. It was the first in-person version of the event.
Transport Canada co-hosted the fourth Safer Skies Forum with the Kingdom of Morocco in Marrakech in April 2025. The Forum built on its previous versions to bring together stakeholders from across aviation. It looked at ways to advance contingency planning and risk mitigation for civil aviation over or near conflict zones. This included empowering regional expertise, industry solutions, local initiatives, and collaboration.
Safer Skies Forum Final Reports
First Safer Skies Forum Final Report
Second Safer Skies Forum Report
Third Safer Skies Forum Report
Fourth Safer Skies Forum Report
Safer Skies Commitment Statements
At the first Safer Skies Forum, the Minister of Transport introduced the Safer Skies Commitment Statement. It was signed by 19 states and 4 international organizations. The statement outlined their commitment to the work required to avoid future aviation tragedies over or near conflict zones.
At the fourth Safer Skies Forum in April 2025, Transport Canada’s Deputy Minister announced the Renewed Safer Skies Commitment Statement. The renewed statement highlights the progress we’ve made over the last five years since launching the Safer Skies Initiative. It also reiterates the global civil aviation community’s commitment to making civilian aviation over or near conflict zones safe and secure.
News releases
- June 6, 2023 – Governments of Canada and the Netherlands co-host the third annual Safer Skies Forum
- March 29, 2022 – Minister Alghabra launches the second Safer Skies Forum
- January 7, 2022 - Government of Canada honours victims on the second National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters
- June 18, 2021 - Minister of Transport provides update on Safer Skies Initiative at ICAO Council meeting
- March 1, 2021 - Building a more secure future: Minister of Transport provides update on the Safer Skies Initiative at ICAO Council meeting
- January 8, 2021 - Commemoration of Flight PS752 tragedy
- December 9, 2020 - Minister Garneau endorses the Safer Skies Commitment to aviation safety and security during Safer Skies Forum
- December 7, 2020 - Minister Garneau to address inaugural Safer Skies Forum and call for improved aviation safety over conflict zones
- June 10, 2020 - Minister of Transport addresses ICAO Council meeting on Flight PS752 and Canada’s Safer Skies Strategy
- March 11, 2020 - Minister of Transport advocates for Safer Skies at ICAO Council to improve aviation safety near or over conflict zones
- March 5, 2020 - Minister of Transport outlines Safer Skies Strategy to improve aviation safety over conflict zones
- February 14, 2020 - Building a more secure and prosperous future: Prime Minister attends Munich Security Conference
Speeches
- June 6, 2023 – Opening remarks for Canada’s Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Third Safer Skies Forum
- March 29, 2022 – Speaking notes for the Minister of Transport, The Honourable Omar Alghabra, Safer Skies Forum opening remarks
- June 18, 2021 - Speaking notes for the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport at the 223rd Session of the ICAO Council
- March 1, 2021 - Speaking notes for The Honourable Omar Alghabra Minister of Transport remarks for intervention in the ICAO Council: Fifth meeting of the 222nd session of the Council ICAO headquarters, Montreal, Canada (Via Zoom)
- December 8, 2020 - Speaking Notes for the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, at the Safer Skies Forum
- March 11, 2020 - Speaking Notes for The Honourable Marc Garneau Minister of Transport Introduction Remarks for Working Paper to ICAO Council Canada’s WP.15029 ICAO Headquarters, Montreal, Canada
- March 5, 2020 - Speaking Notes for Canada’s Minister of Transport, The Honourable Marc Garneau at the United States Chamber of Commerce Aviation Summit, Washington, D.C.