How the EASA CZIB Process Works
A Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) is the primary instrument used by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to communicate airspace-related safety information to EU-registered operators. This page explains the lifecycle of a CZIB from issuance through withdrawal, with currently active examples.
CZIB Lifecycle Stages
Trigger and intelligence input
Inputs to the CZIB process include NOTAMs published by national civil aviation authorities, EUROCONTROL Network Manager publications, intelligence shared by EU member-state authorities, ICAO state letters, and partner-agency notifications. EASA's Safety Intelligence function reviews these inputs and identifies airspace where civil aviation safety considerations may warrant a public bulletin.
Internal review and drafting
EASA's Safety Intelligence team drafts the bulletin in coordination with the relevant operational stakeholders. The draft identifies the affected FIR or UIR by ICAO code, specifies any altitude or operational parameters, and includes the rationale framed in airspace-safety terms. Internal review ensures the publication aligns with EASA's regulatory mandate.
Publication
CZIBs are published on the EASA Conflict Zones Advisories portal (easa.europa.eu/en/domains/air-operations/czibs). Each bulletin receives a reference number in the format CZIB YYYY-NN-RX — year, sequential number for that year, and revision suffix (R1, R2, etc.) that increments each time the bulletin is amended or extended. For example, the Iran-and-neighbouring-airspace bulletin issued in January 2026 carries the reference CZIB 2026-02-R1; the Middle East and Persian Gulf bulletin has been progressively revised through CZIB 2026-03-R6 and beyond. Publication includes notification to EU member-state national aviation authorities, who may convert advisory CZIBs into binding national instructions for their registered operators.
Periodic review and amendment
Active CZIBs are reviewed periodically. A review may result in: continuation without change, amendment (issued as a new revision of the same CZIB number), supersession by a new CZIB with a different reference number, or withdrawal. EASA does not publish a fixed review schedule; cadence depends on the underlying conditions.
Withdrawal
A CZIB is withdrawn when EASA assesses that the airspace-safety considerations that led to its issuance no longer apply. Withdrawal is published on the EASA Safety Publications Tool and communicated to member-state authorities. Operators are notified through standard EASA distribution channels.
Currently Active CZIBs (April 2026)
The list below summarises CZIBs that were active as of the date this page was last verified. Operators must consult the EASA Safety Publications Tool for the authoritative current list.
| CZIB ID | FIR / UIR | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CZIB 2022-01-R12 | UKLV / UKBV / UKDV / UKFV / UKOV / UKBU | Ukraine (multi-FIR) | Active since Feb 2022, current revision R12 |
| CZIB 2026-02-R1 | OIIX | Iran and neighbouring airspace | Issued 16 Jan 2026 |
| CZIB 2026-03-R6 | Multi-FIR (OIIX / ORBB / OSDI / OYSC / LLLL and others) | Middle East and Persian Gulf | Active, multiple revisions |
| CZIB (region-specific) | HSSS | Sudan (Khartoum) | Active since Apr 2023 |
| CZIB (region-specific) | OAKX | Afghanistan (Kabul) | Active |
| CZIB issued early 2026 | SVZM | Venezuela — first Western Hemisphere CZIB | Active since early 2026 |
Source: EASA Conflict Zones Advisories portal (easa.europa.eu/en/domains/air-operations/czibs). Reference numbers shown are illustrative of the format and reflect publicly listed bulletins as of April 2026. The portal is the authoritative source — revisions and supersessions are published continuously, so reference numbers may have advanced beyond those shown here.
Where CZIBs Sit in the Wider Picture
EASA CZIBs are one of several instruments used by international aviation authorities to communicate airspace-related safety information. The closest US equivalent is the FAA Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). ICAO publishes state letters but does not issue equivalent direct operator advisories. National civil aviation authorities issue NOTAMs, which are operationally binding and time-bounded.
For a side-by-side comparison see EASA vs FAA and How to Read a CZIB.
EASA CZIB — Frequently Asked Questions
Common search queries answered with current status, FIR codes, and source citations.
- What is an EASA CZIB?
- A Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) is a publication issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) advising EU-registered operators of safety considerations affecting civil aviation in a defined airspace. CZIBs identify the affected FIR or UIR by ICAO code and may specify minimum operating altitudes or recommend full avoidance. CZIBs are advisory by default but may be made binding by individual EU member-state authorities.
- How long is a CZIB valid?
- CZIBs do not have a fixed validity period. They remain in effect until formally amended, superseded, or withdrawn by EASA. Reviews are conducted periodically and after material changes in the underlying conditions. Some CZIBs include an explicit review date but no automatic expiration.
- How many CZIBs are currently active?
- As of April 2026, EASA maintains a public list of active CZIBs covering FIRs in the Middle East and Persian Gulf (CZIB 2026-03-RX, multi-FIR), Iran and neighbouring airspace (CZIB 2026-02-R1), Eastern Europe (CZIB 2022-01-RX covering Ukraine), Sahel region, and Venezuela (the first Western Hemisphere CZIB, issued in early 2026). The authoritative count and current revision numbers are published on the EASA Conflict Zones Advisories portal at easa.europa.eu/en/domains/air-operations/czibs.
- What happens if a CZIB is issued for my route?
- EU-registered operators evaluate the bulletin against their internal safety management system and route portfolio. Operators may choose to overfly at altitudes above the bulletin floor, reroute, or suspend service to the affected FIR. Decisions are made independently by each operator. Non-EU operators follow guidance from their own national authority, which may differ from EASA.
- How is a CZIB different from a FAA SFAR?
- A CZIB is advisory and applies to EU-registered operators. A FAA Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) is binding and applies to US-registered operators. Both reference the same affected airspace but use different mechanisms. EASA and FAA coordinate on intelligence inputs but issue independent publications. Many regions of sustained restriction are covered by both — for example, OIIX (Tehran FIR) is subject to EASA CZIB 2026-02-R1 and FAA SFAR 117. Ukrainian airspace is subject to EASA CZIB 2022-01-RX and a FAA prohibitory NOTAM (KICZ A0004/22) rather than a numbered SFAR.
FlySafe provides automated computation of numerical indices from publicly available data. Indices are raw computational output and do not represent opinions, assessments, recommendations, or advice of any kind. The EASA Safety Publications Tool is the authoritative source for current CZIBs. See Terms of Service for full details.