European authorities set up conflict-zone intelligence-sharing system for airlines

European intelligence agencies and air-safety officials have created the first formal intelligence-sharing network to warn the region’s airlines about dangers of overflying various conflict zones world-wide. The new system seeks to coordinate and update such threat assessments under the auspices of the EU, and then quickly disseminate the information to European carriers, according to the region’s top aviation safety official. EASA said the goal is to ensure the agency can provide carriers with the best possible guidance about avoiding airspace where fighting on the ground poses potential hazards for commercial aircraft. The advisories won’t be binding on airlines, but they are intended to offer the most comprehensive and timely assessment of such in-flight hazards covering parts of the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere. <br/>