The risks of airplanes being struck by incoming rockets has become an increasingly dangerous phenomenon in many parts of the world. In the past couple of years, there has been an alarming number of incidents in which commercial and military aircraft have been caught in the crossfire of different groups hurling rockets at each other. This not only endangers the lives of the passengers and personnel on planes, but this risk can have grave implications for international travel and the global economy.
Recently, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a safety alert this past June after multiple incidents of airplanes being hit by rockets. The alert recognized the growing risk of rockets and emphasized strict compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards for delaying and/or diverting an aircraft when an imminent threat of rocket attack is present. This alert was particularly pertinent given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which resulted in two military and six commercial aircraft being struck by rockets.
In order to address this issue, governments worldwide and aviation authorities will need to take a pro-active stance towards preventing rockets from hitting airplanes. This might involve implementing stricter surveillance systems that can detect and intercept rockets in-flight as well as educating pilots on the best ways to respond to rockets. Making sure that airports, especially those in high-risk areas, are equipped with the proper safety protocols and personnel should also be a priority.
Ultimately, the unpredictability of rockets means that they remain a very real threat to air safety around the world. As long as countries continue to engage in conflict and violence, airplanes will continue to be exposed to the growing risk of being hit by rockets. It is therefore essential that governments and aviation authorities work together to ensure that their airports are secured and properly equipped with the most up-to-date safety protocols and technology. Only through a collaborative effort across different nations and institutions can airplanes be kept safe from the danger of rockets.
