Iran attacks threaten global aviation, UN aviation body ICAO says

Dubai: UN aviation watchdog International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has issued a strong condemnation of attacks attributed to Iran, describing them as unlawful acts that pose a direct threat to the safety of international civil aviation.

At its 237th session in Montreal on April 1, the ICAO Council adopted what has been described as a “strict and historic decision”, following a joint submission by multiple Arab states, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Egypt. ICAO's decision was shared by the General Civil Aviation Authority in the UAE.

The ICAO Council specifically condemned attacks carried out since February 28, involving missiles and drones targeting Gulf Cooperation Council states and Jordan.

According to the Council, these actions violate both the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention, and the United Nations Charter.

The ruling highlighted a breach of Article 1 of the Convention, which guarantees that every state has complete and exclusive sovereignty over its airspace.

Next steps, potential escalation

As part of its decision, the ICAO Council called for the immediate cessation of unlawful acts that threaten civil aviation safety.

It also confirmed that the matter will be referred to relevant United Nations bodies. This signals the potential for further international action.

The Council said it will continue to monitor the situation closely, keeping the issue under ongoing review as developments unfold.

The ICAO Council said the decision delivers an unequivocal message that the safety of international civil aviation and the sovereignty of national airspace are non-negotiable.

It added that the organisation is prepared to use all available legal mechanisms to protect the global aviation system from security threats.

Unmanned aerial systems

The Council also raised concerns over the use of unmanned aerial systems. It said that such actions exposed critical international air corridors to significant risk and forced countries to take emergency measures.

These included airspace closures and flight rerouting, which have already caused widespread disruption to global aviation.

Meanwhile, UAE officials said the decision reflects the importance of international cooperation in safeguarding aviation.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said ICAO’s statement underscores the UAE’s commitment to working through multilateral frameworks to protect airspace sovereignty.

He said the decision sends a clear international message rejecting violations that threaten aviation safety and reinforces adherence to international law.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, said maintaining safe and stable air operations remains a top priority for the UAE and the wider region.