The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has reiterated that the airspace above Crimea (Ukraine) remains closed to commercial operations. Following the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 by a surface to air missile in July 2014, airlines were advised to divert around this area to avoid a similar accident occurring. To allow airlines to operate more efficiently, EASA has approved the use of two new flight paths. The flight paths will direct aircraft above the Western section of the Black Sea, allowing aircraft to more efficiently transit within Ukrainian airspace while continuing to avoid the airspace above Crimea and its territorial waters.

On the 24th of February 2016, a Tara Air Viking DHC- 6-400 turbo-prop aircraft crashed into mountainous terrain while en route from Pokhara to Jomsom (Nepal). Radio contact was lost approximately 10 minutes after the flight had departed from Pokhara. A search for the aircraft was subsequently initiated. The wreckage was located a short time later near the Soleghopte cliff, approximately 15 nautical miles south of Jomsom. All 23 occupants were fatally injured in the crash. An investigation into the accident has been launched by the Nepalese Government.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has raised concerns regarding the increased number of flights operating to and from Thailand’s Suvarbabhumi Airport. IATA has cited that the marked increase in passenger numbers has led to severe overcrowding of both the terminals and tarmac. IATA has reportedly stated that the airport needs to undergo major expansion to accommodate and safely manage the increased traffic. These concerns come amidst the recent Significant Safety Concerns (SSC’s) raised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the Thai Department of Civil Aviation’s (DCA) ability to adhere to internationally recognised standards in regulatory oversight.