Recent alarming events in Egypt and Ukraine involving commercial jets have prompted a heated discussion regarding airline routes over active conflict zones. Lithuanian operator KlasJet has responded to this by investigating the threat posed to private aviation routes over similar zones.

Currently there are more than 13 countries marked 'high risk' or prohibited by the aviation authorities worldwide. High risk means that aircraft are advised not to fly below a certain height, usually between 20,000 and 32,000 feet. Business aviation has safety systems (NOTAMs) in place to avoid danger. These notices are published, however operators are not always obliged to use them; those who fly private may believe that they can fly over any place of their choosing, and as a result the advice is not always heeded.

Fortunately, according to KlasJet CEO Vitalij Kapitonov, private jet operators neither can, nor would ever recommend cutting corners and flying over high risk airspace, let alone no-fly zones. “The process of route planning is very simple and clear-cut,” he says. “After receiving an inquiry, the flight department dives into the route planning, which involves not only reviewing all recommendations and NOTAMs, but also weather forecasts and fuel stops. Afterwards, the accumulated detailed information has to be approved or adjusted by the jet captain himself and only then the customer is presented with the summarised information.”

Yet routes are sometimes altered at the demand of a client. “In general, one of the main criteria for choosing business aviation is flexibility and you can't take that away from the customer,” Kapitonov adds. “Commercial airlines fly to about 300 airports worldwide, while we can take off and land at any of more than 7,000 airstrips. The same criteria apply to flight routes as well.”

While some commercial airlines still fly over certain parts of Mali, Syria and Iraq on very popular business routes like London-Dubai, Lagos-London and others, the majority of private operators take all the recommendations very seriously.

“Over the years, we have received requests to fly on different paths for various personal reasons, however, our crew knows perfectly well what a safety-sensitive sector business aviation is. After all, our job is to maintain the highest standards every single time,” Kapitonov explains.

“Nevertheless, if you decide to take a flight with an unlicensed or inexperienced operator, one can only guess what the consequences could be. All in all, entrusting your flights to operators with extensive experience in the field and professional staff is all you need to do in order to ensure you are flying safe and sound every time.”