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  2. Travelling by air

Travelling by air

Last Updated
Thursday, 27/08/2020

Aviation safety and maintenance standards vary throughout the world.

This page can help you make informed decisions about which airline to travel with. Explore this page for information on:

  • aviation and airline safety
  • flight paths
  • severe weather
  • airport security procedures

Aviation safety standards

​Many factors can affect the safety of airports, aircraft and airlines. These include:

  • weather, especially extreme hot, cold, wet conditions
  • terrain, especially in mountainous areas
  • aviation infrastructure, especially in developing countries
  • how other countries regulate their aviation industries

Some countries have lower aviation safety and security standards than Australia. This can be a particular risk for domestic flights overseas.

Before you go, research the safety standards for any airlines and aircraft you plan to take.

We can’t advise on the safety of individual airlines or flight paths. Learn more about aviation safety (UN International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO).

Authorities on aviation safety

The following organisations provide more information on aviation safety:

  • The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
  • The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  • The International Air Transport Association (IATA)
  • The Aviation Safety Network

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates air travel in Australia. This includes foreign aircraft that fly into Australian airspace, even if they don't land in Australia. CASA also oversees Australian-registered aircraft overseas.

CASA doesn't regulate foreign aircraft or airports outside Australia.

Learn more about global aviation safety (ICAO)

DFAT policy on airlines

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has workplace health and safety obligations to its employees.

Sometimes DFAT tells its staff working overseas not to use a particular airline if it has concerns about the safety of the airline. If that happens, we will state it in the travel advice for the relevant destination or on this page when it's a global impact.

This is to ensure there are no double standards between the information we give to our staff and the Australian public.

On 22 August 2020, an AN-26 plane crashed in South Sudan. DFAT staff and dependants have been directed not to fly on Antonov AN-26 aircraft when travelling for official purposes. The direction will remain in place pending the results of crash investigations.

Flight paths over conflict zones

International airlines may fly over hostile regions. Flights over these areas are often restricted to particular routes or altitudes.

Individual airlines select their flight paths. They conduct risk assessments to determine these.

If you're concerned about the route your plane will take, ask your airline or travel agent. They can provide you with definitive advice on your flight route.

Learn more about flying over conflict zones (ICAO).

Bad or severe weather

Bad or severe weather can cause travel delays in any season. These include high winds, rain, sleet, snow, and volcanic ash.

Before you travel, check the forecast for your departure, and the airport in you destination.

Airlines may cancel flights when there's a severe weather incident. This includes flights into the area, and flights out. This reduces safety risks to passengers.

Check your travel insurance policy. You may be covered for weather related cancellations.

Airport security procedures

Airlines and airports around the world have increased security and restricted what you can take in your hand luggage. Security regulations overseas may be different to regulations in Australia.

Some countries or airlines may install additional passenger screening measures or restrictions at short notice. These could cause delays at the airport.

  • Check with your airline or the country you're visiting before you travel.
  • Arrive at the airport with plenty of time for the screening and security checks.
  • Follow the directions of airport security staff and flight crews at all times.
  • Read the travel advice for your planned destinations.

Read more about Australian airport security procedures, including passenger screening (Department of Home Affairs).

Learn more about global airport security measures (ICAO).

Flying in and out of Australia

TravelSECURE (Department of Home Affairs) can help you prepare for your trip and find out about security measures at Australian airports and on international flights to and from Australia.

It provides information about:

  • passenger and baggage screening
  • prohibited items
  • travelling with children, laptops, medication and sports equipment

Know what you can and cannot take in your carry-on or checked baggage (Department of Home Affairs).

Read more

  • Read the travel advisories for all your planned destinations, including stopovers.
  • Airlines may cancel flights when there's a severe weather incident.
  • You may be covered for weather related cancellations. Check your travel insurance policy.

See also

  • Know what you can and cannot take in your carry-on or checked baggage (Department of Home Affairs).
  • The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates air safety for Australia.
  • Learn more about flying over conflict zones, global airport security measures and aviation safety (ICAO).

Related content

Travelling by boat

This page will help you understand the risks and take appropriate precautions before you head out on the water.

View details
Going on a cruise

Before you go on a cruise, make sure you take steps to be prepared, and reduce your risks of things going wrong.

View details
Road safety

Whether you're in a car, riding a motorbike or buzzing around town on a scooter, know the risks and take steps to stay safe on the roads.

View details

Main navigation

  • The basics
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Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

For information about Australian visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement