News

By: Rūta Burbaitė
Image: pixabay.com


European air traffic control agency Eurocontrol warned on April 11, 2018, airlines to exercise caution in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Nicosia flight information region (FIR) due to the possible imminent launch of air strikes into Syria.

Citing the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) rapid alert notification for the eastern Mediterranean and Nicosia areas, Eurocontrol warns that air-to-ground or cruise missiles could be launched in the next 72 hours over the designated area of airspace. The agency also says there was a possibility of “intermittent disruption” of radio navigation equipment, Reuters reports.

“Due consideration needs to be taken when planning flight operations in the Eastern Mediterranean/Nicosia FIR area,” the agency stated. The Nicosia FIR area covers the island of Cyprus and surrounding waters. The warning did not specify the origin of any potential threat.

Eurocontrol’s warning comes as the U.S. and its allies consider possible military action against President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in response to the suspected poison gas attack in a rebel-held town in Syria on April 7, 2018.