- ICAO lifted restrictions on Libyan airspace on 23 October 2026.
- Restrictions were imposed in 2015 during the Second Libyan Civil War.
- Up to 20 commercial aircraft were damaged or written off in the conflict.
- ICAO withdrew a Syria safety advisory in place for 13 years.
- The changes affect overflight planning between Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Longstanding restrictions on Libyan and Syrian airspace have been lifted by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The Libyan Ministry of Transport noted an ICAO decision issued on 23 October 2026 lifted restrictions on the country’s airspace. ICAO first implemented restrictions on Libyan airspace in 2015 due to the Second Libyan Civil War, a conflict that saw up to 20 commercial aircraft damaged or written off before ending in 2020.
ICAO has also withdrawn a safety warning advisory for Syrian airspace that had been in place for 13 years and was implemented due to conflict-related risks. The decisions open routes across the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa. The lifting follows improvements in safety oversight and infrastructure.
The changes affect overflight planning for airlines operating between Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Operators will assess the revised risk picture before routing aircraft through the affected airspace. The decisions reflect a change in the assessment of conflict-related risks.
