This article investigates the regulatory framework that governs the interception of civil aircraft. It analyses the various circumstances that may justify such interventions as well as the main legal principles that apply to their conduct. Particular attention is given to the States’ obligations under the Chicago Convention, and more specifically the obligation of due regard for the safety of civil aircraft that applies to the adoption by States of regulations for their State aircraft. The research investigates the civil-military cooperation framework and the procedures that must be followed by the various civil and military stakeholders involved with a view to reducing the need for interceptions and to ensure that those that ultimately need to be undertaken can be executed without endangering the safety of civil aircraft.