Carry extra fuel, have alternative communication methods, airlines told

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia says airlines and pilots must be ready to respond to the volatile security situation and heightened military activity in active conflict zones.

PETALING JAYA: Airlines have been told to consider carrying additional fuel in the event of a flight diversion to avoid conflict areas, in a safety advisory issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

The regulator also advised carriers to have alternative communication methods in the event that the aircraft’s radio systems are affected by conflict-associated jamming or electric interference that disrupts normal aircraft communications and navigation.

CAAM CEO Norazman Mahmud urged airlines and pilots to be ready with responses to the volatile security situation and heightened military activity in active conflict zones.

“Amid escalating political conflict, military activities and multiple closures throughout the airspace in the Middle East, there is a possible existence of serious risks to the safety of international civil flights, particularly ones operating over Tehran Flight Information Region and the airspace adjoining it.

“This underscores the importance of conducting thorough risk assessments for flights over or near conflict zones to safeguard the safety of aircraft and passengers,” he said.

Norazman said operators should consider additional fuel for take-off and departure from conflict zones without refuelling.

“The availability and serviceability of aircraft equipment needed to facilitate the identification of the aircraft by military units is also vital,” he said.

He said the conflict zones present unique challenges because of their unpredictability and rapidly evolving nature.

The primary risks to civil aircraft operating near or over active conflict zones include long-range surface-to-air missiles, coordination irregularities and the risk of miscalculation or misidentification by air defence systems.

“Given the lack of available mitigation measures against such threats, a systematic approach to risk assessment is crucial,” Norazman said.

On Saturday, Malaysia Airlines said it was rerouting flights between Kuala Lumpur and London to avoid Iranian airspace amid growing tension in the Middle East.

Budget carrier AirAsia does not use Iranian airspace for its flights at the moment.

Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday, in retaliation to an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate on April 1 that killed seven officers, including two senior commanders. Tel Aviv has since vowed to retaliate.