Safe Airspace – Conflict Zone and Risk Database

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Updates Alerts

Libya 16 Apr

German warning eased. Operators are now advised to avoid Libyan airspace. Supersedes previous warning, issued on 09 Apr 2019 and contained in AIC 07/21, completely prohibiting German operators from entering Libyan airspace.

Albania 14 Apr

New warning for Albanian airspace.

Albania 14 Apr

New IFATCA Press Release: Pilots should exercise extreme caution while operating in Albanian airspace (the LAAA/Tirana FIR) due to a heightened risk of degraded ATC services.

Albania 14 Apr

New IFALPA Safety Bulletin: Pilots should exercise extreme caution while operating in Albanian airspace (the LAAA/Tirana FIR) due to a heightened risk of degraded ATC services.

Ukraine 13 Apr

Updated FAA Information Note on Russia/Ukraine - Escalating Border Tensions.

Western Sahara 06 Apr

Updated GCCC/Canarias Notam, advice remains the same: avoid the airspace over Western Sahara.

Ukraine 05 Apr

Risk summary rewritten and updated, primary risks, major events.

Ukraine 05 Apr

New Canada Notam: Avoid the UKFV/Simferopol and UKDV/Dnipropetrovsk FIRs in the east of the country due to risk from heightened military activity and anti-aviation weaponry. Exercise caution across the rest of Ukraine's airspace.

Egypt 31 Mar

US Notam updated, advice remains unchanged: Avoid overflying the Sinai Peninsula below FL260.

Afghanistan 28 Mar

Risk summary rewritten and updated, primary risks, major events.

Afghanistan 28 Mar

Updated US Notam, advice remains the same: Stick to airways, and maintain FL330 or higher.

Afghanistan 28 Mar

US FAA Background Notice. Advice: stick to airways, and maintain FL330 or higher.

Syria 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance. Do not enter Syrian airspace.

Mali 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance. Avoid GATB, GAGO, GAMB and GAKL airports; overflights should be at FL260 or above.

Egypt 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance. Sinai Peninsula presents a risk below FL260 for overflights and landings.

South Sudan 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance. Stay above FL260.

Somalia 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance. Do not operate to airports in Somalia, and do not overfly the airspace below FL260 except for UR401.

Iraq 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance. Source change, moved from Notam to AIC. Do not overfly Iraq below FL260 or operate to any airports in the country.

Iran 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance. Exercise caution in the Tehran FIR due to risk posed by anti-aircraft weaponry.

Saudi Arabia 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance. Potential risk to landing anywhere in Saudi Arabia.

Yemen 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance. German operators are prohibited from operating on airways over the Yemen landmass within the OYSC/Sanaa FIR.

Afghanistan 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance.

Pakistan 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance. Advice stands that overflights should be at FL260 and above.

North Korea 25 Mar

German warning updated, no change to guidance. Potential risk to overflights of North Korean airspace (ZKKP FIR) due to launching of test missiles without prior notice.

Saudi Arabia 11 Mar

New Canadian Notam: Exercise caution in Saudi airspace, particularly in the southwest of the OEJD/Jeddah FIR, due to ongoing military activity.

Syria 01 Mar

Canada warning updated, no change to guidance. Source change, moved from Notam to AIC. Operators should not enter the airspace of Syria, and there is a potential risk to aircraft within 200nm of the Damascus FIR.

Libya 01 Mar

Canada warning updated, no change to guidance. Source change, moved from Notam to AIC. Operators should not enter the airspace of Libya.

Somalia 01 Mar

New warning issued by Canada. Overflights should be at FL260 or above.

Iraq 01 Mar

Canada warning updated, no change to guidance. Source change, moved from Notam to AIC. Operators should not enter the airspace of Iraq.

Iran 01 Mar

Canada warning updated, no change to guidance. Source change, moved from Notam to AIC. Operators should not enter the airspace of Iran.

Yemen 01 Mar

New warning issued by Canada. Operators should not enter the airspace of Somalia, including the oceanic part up to and including airway UT702.

North Korea 01 Mar

New warning issued by Canada. Operators should exercise caution in the airspace of North Korea due to risk posed by unannounced rocket launches.

Kenya 27 Feb

Updated FAA Notam, advice remains the same: They advise against operating FL260 in Kenya's airspace east of 40 degrees East longitude (the border region with Somalia) due to extremist and militant activity.

Kenya 26 Feb

Risk summary rewritten and updated, primary risks, major events.

Mali 26 Feb

Risk summary rewritten and updated, primary risks, major events.

Mali 26 Feb

Updated FAA Notam, advice remains the same: They advise against operating below FL260 in Mali's airspace due to ongoing fighting and militant activity.

Mali 26 Feb

Updated US FAA Background Notice. Advice remains the same: avoid operating below FL260 in Mali's airspace due to ongoing fighting and militant activity.

Kenya 26 Feb

Updated US FAA Background Notice. Advice remains the same: avoid operating below FL260 in Kenya's airspace east of 40 degrees East longitude (the border region with Somalia) due to extremist and militant activity.

United Arab Emirates 16 Feb

Updated UAE Notam, warning remains the same: Risk from Houthi weapons in Yemen targeting UAE territory

Syria 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: Operators should avoid Syrian airspace.

Mali 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: overflights should be at or above FL320 in the part of the Niamey FIR (DRRR) located above the Malian territory.

Libya 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: French operators should avoid Libya airspace.

Sudan 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: maintain FL260 or higher in the HSSS/Sudan FIR along its southern edge (where Sudan borders with South Sudan) and western edge (where Sudan borders with Central African Republic and Chad).

South Sudan 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: Overflights should be at FL260 or above, in the part of the HSSS/Sudan FIR above South Sudan.

Somalia 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: Overflights should be at FL260 or above.

Ukraine 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: Overflights of the UKFV and UKDV FIRs in the east of the country should only be planned over six Black Sea airways: M854, M856, M860, L851, M435, and M861.

Iraq 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: Overflights should only be on airways UM860 and UM688, and UL602 between TASMI and ALPET. Fly at or above FL320.

Iran 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: Operators should not overfly the western half of the country (everywhere west of 54 Degrees East longitude); overflights of the eastern half should be at or above FL320.

Saudi Arabia 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: Exercise caution in Saudi airspace, particularly in the southwest of the FIR; and do no operate to OEAB/Abha, OEGN/Jazan, OENG/Nejran, OESH/Sharurah, OEWD/Wadi Al Dawasir and OEBH/Bisha airports.

Yemen 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: Operators should avoid Yemeni airspace.

Afghanistan 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: Overflights should be at FL260 or above.

Pakistan 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: Overflights should be at FL260 or above.

North Korea 11 Feb

Updated French AIC, advice remains the same: caution advised for all North Korea overflights, especially in the maritime part over the Sea of Japan

South Sudan 08 Feb

New Notam by South Africa: Risk for overflights of South Sudan below FL245 or for aircraft operating to HSSJ/Juba airport due to poor levels of ATC provision.

Western Sahara 05 Feb

Risk summary rewritten and updated.

South Sudan 02 Feb

New Notam by South Sudan: ATC radio is not good enough to cover all airspace in the country. All aircraft must use TCAS.

Saudi Arabia 28 Jan

ESCAT Notam updated.

South Sudan 21 Jan

Risk summary re-written and updated, primary risks, major events.

South Sudan 20 Jan

ICAO letter warning of poor levels of ATC provision for overflights below FL245 or for aircraft operating to HSSJ/Juba airport.

Pakistan 01 Jan

US Notam updated, advice remains the same: exercise caution flying into or over Pakistan, particularly at low altitudes, due to the risk posed by small-arms fire, attacks against airports, indirect weapons fire and anti-aircraft fire by extremist/militant elements operating in the country.

Iraq 18 Dec

Risk summary rewritten and updated, primary risks, major events.

Saudi Arabia 18 Dec

Risk summary rewritten and updated, primary risks, major events.

Yemen 18 Dec

Risk summary rewritten and updated, primary risks, major events.

Iran 18 Dec

Risk summary rewritten and updated, primary risks, major events.

Libya 16 Dec

Risk summary rewritten and updated, primary risks, major events.

Syria 16 Dec

Risk summary rewritten and updated, primary risks, major events.

Syria 27 Nov

Updated US SFAR, advice remains the same: US operators are prohibited from entering the OSTT/Damascus FIR.

Syria 27 Nov

Updated US FAA Notam, guidance remains the same: US operators are prohibited from entering the OSTT/Damascus FIR.

Western Sahara 19 Nov

New FAA Information Note on the Western Sahara Conflict

Ethiopia 17 Nov

Update to summary, concern over risk on airways adjacent to conflict.

Ethiopia 17 Nov

OPSGROUP Airspace Risk Warning added for Ethiopia/Eritrea - Tigray Conflict Zone

Eritrea 17 Nov

OPSGROUP Airspace Risk Warning added for Eritrea - Tigray Conflict Zone

Eritrea 16 Nov

Addition of Eritrea, missile attack on HHAS/Asmara, Level 2 warning.

Ethiopia 05 Nov

Closed airspace in the north of the country due to ongoing conflict.

Iran 29 Oct

New US SFAR: US operators are prohibited from overflying the OIIX/Tehran FIR.

Ukraine 19 Oct

Updated US SFAR: the ban on US operators overflying the eastern part of the UKDV/Dnipropetrovsk FIR is extended for another year, but restrictions have now been completely lifted on overflights of the UKFV/Simferopol FIR.

Somalia 31 May

Country summary updated to include the shoot-down of an Embraer EMB-120 while on approach to Bardale.

Sudan 15 Jan

Country summary updated to include the temporary closure of HSSS/Khartoum on 14 Jan 2020 following armed clashes near the airport.

Egypt 20 Jul

British Airways suspends Cairo operations for one week due to security concerns

Japan 27 May

US warning for Sea of Japan expired, no current warnings for Japan.

Venezuela 16 May

Ongoing political and social crisis in Venezuela. On 1st May 2019, the US FAA issued a new “Do Not Fly” instruction to US operators, barring all operations into or over Venezuela, unless operating at or above FL260, and giving a window of 48 hours to leave the country.

North Korea 10 May

Pilots should exercise extreme caution while operating in Albanian airspace (the LAAA/Tirana FIR) due to a heightened risk of degraded ATC services. Following last week’s protest by ATC, local controllers are now working under significant duress and high stress, having been threatened with dismissal (or worse - being arrested and jailed) if they do not declare themselves fit for duty. In addition, a number of foreign controllers have been installed despite the fact that they are not trained or rated on any of the local positions. At SafeAirspace.net we are now listing Albania as “Level 3 – Caution”.

The FAA has issued updated information which continues to warn operators of escalating tensions in the east of the Ukraine, along the border with Russia. There are several new reports of GPS jamming in the area, along with known surveillance of civil flights by military systems. Russia has maintained its heavy military presence in the area which includes advanced anti-aircraft weaponry – essentially the same scenario prior to the shoot down of MH17 in 2014. Should a conflict escalate the airspace on both sides of the border could be exposed to weapons activity posing a risk to civil aviation of misidentification or misperception. Use extreme caution if operating in the UKFV/Simferopol and UKDV/Dnipropetrovsk FIRs. See our recent article for more info.

The US FAA has published a Note warning of escalating tensions in the east of Ukraine along the border with Russia. Canada has also published an airspace warning, advising operators to avoid the UKFV/Simferopol and UKDV/Dnipropetrovsk FIRs in the east of the country due to risk from heightened military activity and anti-aviation weaponry. There has been a large military build-up in this area recently, along with an increase in ceasefire violations. Essentially, similar conditions to those prior to the shoot-down of MH17 in 2014. Should hostilities escalate, the airspace on both sides of the border could be exposed to potential weapons activity posing a risk to civil aircraft from misidentification or misperception. Read our article for more info.

There has been a mass security breach at HTDA/Dar Es Salaam airport linked to the departure of the former President’s coffin which was due to fly from HTDA/Dar Es Salaam to HTDO/Dodoma. The extent of damage to boundary fences and within the airport is not yet known. If you are operating anywhere in Tanzania over the coming week, check with handling agents on the situation at your airport of operation - the President’s coffin will be flown to multiple locations in order for people to pay respect and similar disruptions might occur at other locations.

Caution if operating into Gautemala over the following week - nationwide protests are likely to be taking place between March 22 and 25. Protestors from Veteran groups, healthcare workers, and various other organisations have called for demonstrations to be held at public and government locations. Airports are likely to be included, and demonstrations could become violent with likely disruption to operations and travel. Check with your handling agent what the situation is at your airport prior to operating in.

Two rockets were fired across the border from Syria into Turkey on Thursday. They landed in the southern region of Kilis near the border but didn’t cause any damage. It is believed to have been the work of Kurdish militia who are active in the area. The Turkish military reportedly returned fire. It is an unexpected skirmish that may re-ignite tensions in the region. There are no current conflict warnings for Turkish airspace – keep monitoring the situation especially if operating in southern regions near the Syrian border.

OEJN/Jeddah Airport reportedly closed temporarily on March 7 following multiple attempted drone attacks. Several similar drone and missile attacks also occurred over the weekend. Saudi media reported dozens of drones were intercepted in their airspace, and the US Embassy also issued a statement. The situation has escalated over the last few weeks and caution across Saudi airspace is advised, with southern Jeddah FIR and Yemeni airspace posing a significant risk to flights at this time. Check SafeAirspace.net for more info on the airspace warnings in place.

The GCCC/Canarias FIR has renewed its recent airspace warning for the Western Sahara. The conflict there continues and has potential to escalate due to Algeria’s ongoing support for the local independence movement. Essentially aircraft should completely avoid overflying the part of Western Sahara that falls within Canarias FIR due to a risk of ground-to-air weapons. The GOOO/Dakar FIR has not issued any warnings, but operate there with care. Check the picture at safeairspace.net for a better idea of the situation.

Worsening security situation in Myanmar. The military remains in control and widespread protests have continued in major cities including Yangon. Thirty-eight protestors were killed yesterday in the most violent clashes seen since the coup began. For overflights, local agents report that ATC services are back to normal, as most ATC staff have returned to work. Operators overflying the VYYF/Yangon FIR should therefore be getting normal ATC service again now, but be on alert for the situation to change quickly.

A new outbreak of Ebola is causing concern in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both countries were previously the epicentres of the worst outbreaks in modern history. Central and West African countries are now on high alert for new cases of the highly contagious virus. Look out for new restrictions on passengers who have been in an affected region - the US has already begun requiring them to enter at specific airports. The CDC website is the best place to stay up to date, especially if you’re planning on visiting the area.

Canada has made a significant change to how it publishes airspace warnings for conflict zones. Most warnings will now be held in an AIC (07/21 is the current one, published on 25 Feb 2021). New warnings will be published by Notam, and if they remain valid for more than 90 days they will then get transferred to the AIC. The new AIC contains airspace warnings for: Iraq, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. SafeAirspace.net has these latest updates from Canada, and all other current warnings.

France have withdrawn their airspace warnings for Armenia and Azerbaijan. This means there are no longer any foreign states with airspace warnings for these countries. The conflict between the two ended in Nov 2020, and there have been no new reports of fighting since then. On Safeairspace.net, we have therefore removed our “Level 3 - Caution” warnings for both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Check there for more info and a summary of the developments which have affected airspace safety over the past few months.

Germany have published a new Notam warning of the airspace risk for Iraq. They are now advising German operators not to overfly Iraq below FL260 or operate to any airports in the country due to the risk posed by military operations, anti-aviation weaponry, and possible terrorist attacks. This new Notam supersedes the advice contained in AIC 18/20 which contained much more vague language with regards to Iraq - “German air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within FIR BAGHDAD (ORBB) below FL260.” Various other countries have airspace warnings in place for Iraq - there is a total flight ban in place for US aircraft; whereas Canada, the UK and France have all issued airspace warnings advising against operating in Iraqi airspace. More info at Safeairspace.net.

The US military is planning to conduct GPS interference testing off the East Coast several times during March for up to five hours at a time. The affected area lies off the coast of Charleston and will affect a radius of nearly 250nm. Testing will happen on March 1, 11 and 14. Aircraft operating in the New York Center Oceanic region may be affected by GPS and CPDLC interruptions. The FAA want aircraft to report any outages to ATC. You can read the full FAA Flight Advisory (including timings) by clicking the link.

An update on the security situation in the capital Bangui – things are still bleak. Armed rebels continue to violently try and overthrow the new government. UN forces have managed to keep them out of the city but the rebels have blocked the main road in, causing an ongoing humanitarian crisis. A state of emergency has been declared for at least six months which bans the use of CAR’s airspace by all foreign governments and NGOs. The US Dept of State’s warning is crystal clear – don’t go there.

Caution if you are planning to operate into Bahrain on February 14. The date marks the tenth anniversary of the Shi’a uprising and large scale protests, clashes and heightened security are extremely likely. In previous years armed attacks on security checkpoints occurred and this can be a day of major protesting and security concerns. While no disruption to airport services is expected, check with your handling agent before operating in to ensure services will be available, particularly if you have crew on a layover.

Thousands of people across the country are taking part in nationwide strikes and protests against the military who overthrew the government last week, and some ATC staff are also on strike. Crew overflying Myanmar today have reported receiving no ATC service. The VYYF/Yangon FIR has published a Notam which says that 15 minute separation will be applied to overflights due to lack of ATC staff. The Notam warns pilots to monitor other traffic, so if you're overflying Myanmar, listen out on the air-to-air frequency.

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