EASA CZIB CZIB-2018-02R19
Airspace of Pakistan – Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces
Summary
The document titled Airspace of Pakistan – Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces is a safety advisory addressing the high risk to civil aviation operations below FL 260 in the FIR Karachi (OPKR) and FIR Lahore (OPLR) over the provinces of Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. It highlights threats from violent non-state actor groups equipped with anti-aviation weaponry and the potential for misidentification during military escalations, particularly affecting EASA operators and third country operators authorized by EASA. The advisory does not specify particular aircraft or engine types but applies broadly to all civil aviation operations in the affected airspace.
What Changed
This document extends the validity of the existing advisory until 30 April 2026 without any changes to its content. It continues to emphasize the high risk to operations below FL 260 in the specified airspace due to security threats and territorial disputes. The revision issued on 31 October 2025 confirms the ongoing applicability of the recommendations.
Why It Matters
This advisory is critical for aviation professionals as it identifies a significant security risk in Pakistani airspace that could impact flight safety and operational planning. Operators must be aware of the potential threats from armed groups and military activities that could lead to inadvertent incidents. Compliance teams and flight planners need to incorporate these risk assessments into their operational risk management and route planning to ensure crew and passenger safety.
What To Do
Affected air operators should avoid conducting flights below FL 260 in the FIR Karachi and FIR Lahore over Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces until at least 30 April 2026. Operators must continuously monitor updates from Pakistani aeronautical publications, neighboring states' aviation authorities, and the European Information Sharing and Cooperation Platform on Conflict Zones. They should also follow guidance from their national aviation authorities to maintain compliance and operational safety.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.