Air France has decided to resume flying over Libyan airspace on select routes to Africa, a move authorized by France's civil aviation authority (DGAC). The decision has sparked strong concerns among the airline's unions, who see it as a threat to crew and passenger safety. According to information revealed by the daily *Libération*, the health, safety, and working conditions committee (CSSCT) for pilots and cabin crew issued a "serious and imminent danger" warning in mid-April. This alert, composed mainly of union representatives, aims to bring the matter before the company's social and economic committee (CSE). **Fuel savings in sight** Resuming these overflights, within a very precise air corridor, significantly reduces flight times to several African destinations. For example, about 47 minutes would be saved on flights to Kinshasa and 52 minutes to Johannesburg. In a context of soaring kerosene prices driven by the Middle East conflict, these fuel savings are far from negligible for Air France. Kerosene prices have risen sharply in recent weeks, heavily impacting operating costs. Air France, like other carriers, is therefore seeking more direct routes to limit the financial impact, as fuel now accounts for a much larger share of expenses. Several foreign airlines, including Qatar Airways, Emirates, Egyptair, and Turkish Airlines, already regularly fly over Libya. **Unions push back** The SNPNC-FO union (National Union of Commercial Flight Personnel) has reacted strongly, calling the decision "irresponsible." It is particularly concerned about risks linked to Libya's persistent instability, where two rival governments have vied for power since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Fighting has recently occurred in Tripoli. The union also notes that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) generally recommends avoiding overflights of Libya. It fears a risk of missile fire or incidents in poorly secured airspace. Air France, for its part, insists that passenger and staff safety remains an absolute priority. The airline emphasizes that the captain retains the ability to divert the flight at any time if the situation is deemed risky. It also states that the DGAC has validated a specific corridor considered safe. This controversy comes as the aviation sector faces multiple challenges: rising fuel prices, geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East, and pressure on flight profitability. Air France unions are calling for greater caution, especially since commercial flight personnel do not have a simple right to refuse in such situations. **What this means for ATPL and ATC students** This case is a textbook example of airspace risk assessment, a key topic in ATPL and ATC training. Students must understand how airlines balance operational efficiency (fuel savings, flight time) against safety risks (political instability, missile threats). It also highlights the role of regulatory bodies like EASA and national authorities (DGAC) in issuing airspace advisories, and the importance of crew authority (captain's discretion) in real-time decision-making. For ATC trainees, it underscores the complexity of managing airspace over conflict zones and the need for robust NOTAM and contingency procedures.