CONCLUSIONS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE NICOSIA CYPRUS2025

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

NICOSIA CYPRUS, 23/1/2025

“Safeguarding Aviation - Responding Effectively to Conflict-Related Disruptions

CONCLUSIONS

The EATEO - FSF international conference on "Safeguarding Aviation: Responding Effectively to Conflict-Related Disruptions," held in Nicosia, Cyprus, on January 23, 2025, brought together aviation experts, regulatory authorities, and industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing aviation security and resilience in the face of conflict-related threats. The conference presentations covered various topics, including crisis management, regulatory frameworks, civil-military coordination, air traffic management, and technological advancements.

Conflict-related disruptions in aviation have been increasingly recognized as significant threats due to geopolitical conflicts, cyber threats, and natural disasters. Examining past incidents such as the MH17 tragedy highlighted the vulnerabilities within aviation systems and the necessity of preemptive, well-coordinated response mechanisms. International and regional organizations, play a vital role in monitoring and mitigating these threats by ensuring early warning systems, data-sharing protocols, and harmonized regulations are in place.

Effective civil-military coordination emerged as a crucial element for maintaining safe airspace management in conflict-prone zones. The necessity of real-time communication and joint decision-making between air traffic control authorities and military personnel was emphasized to ensure rapid responses to emerging threats. Additionally, strengthening air traffic network resilience through proactive risk assessments and contingency planning was identified as an essential strategy. The discussion also underscored the value of artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making in crisis response, enhancing predictive capabilities and optimizing threat detection mechanisms.Training and capacity-building efforts from EATEO-FSF members were recognized as key to equipping aviation professionals with the necessary expertise in managing conflict-related risks. Furthermore, regulatory and legal considerations must evolve to address new challenges, including cybersecurity risks and drone intrusions. Governments and aviation regulators were urged to update legal frameworks to facilitate a swift response to emerging threats, while also considering liability and insurance issues in flight disruptions.

The conference reinforced the necessity of a collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach to safeguarding aviation against conflict-related disruptions. Strengthening information-sharing mechanisms between aviation authorities and security agencies is essential to enhance situational awareness. Investment in technological solutions, such as AI-driven threat detection and predictive analytics, will further support crisis preparedness. EATEO-FSF proposes further research and expansion of specialized training programs to build resilience and ensure operational continuity remains a priority. At the same time, updating regulatory frameworks will help establish clear legal responsibilities in responding to security challenges. International cooperation is paramount in developing standardized risk mitigation strategies, ensuring a unified and effective response to potential threats. Through these measures, the aviation industry can build greater resilience and maintain the safety and efficiency of global air transport operations.