Sudan
Risk Level: One - Do Not Fly
[ about risk levels ]
Following a military coup in April 2023, Sudan remains closed to all civilian flights. In South Sudan, air navigation services remain suspended above FL245. There is ongoing fighting in Sudan between government and militant forces. HSSK/Khartoum airport is closed, but no Notams are being issued. There is a Contingency Plan available with published routes for ops in and out of HSPN/Port Sudan airport. For overflights, there are some north-south routes available via Egypt and Saudi, and some east-west contingency routes available over South Sudan. If routing via nearby airspace, be aware of other active warnings in close proximity.
Several countries have issued airspace warning advising their operators not to enter the airspace of Sudan, due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity. Germany has prohibited its operators from the HSSS/Khartoum FIR.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Sudan Airspace Update, Apr 2023
The primary risk now relates to security on the ground for any unplanned diversions to airports in Sudan. Throughout the conflict, there have been reports of passenger jets being targeted by gunfire at HSSK/Khartoum Airport.
The secondary risk relates to Sudan’s proximity to South Sudan - which has poor levels of ATC provision for overflights below FL245.
Major events:
Oct 2024: Foreign-registered cargo aircraft was shot down by local militia over North Darfur (Western Sudan, near the border with Chad).
Apr 2023: Military coup on Apr 15. Sudan’s airspace closed, South Sudan’s airspace closed above FL245.
Oct 2021: Military coup on Oct 25. HSSK/Khartoum airport closed for two days, with all flights suspended.
Several countries have issued airspace warning advising their operators not to enter the airspace of Sudan, due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity. Germany has prohibited its operators from the HSSS/Khartoum FIR.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Sudan Airspace Update, Apr 2023
The primary risk now relates to security on the ground for any unplanned diversions to airports in Sudan. Throughout the conflict, there have been reports of passenger jets being targeted by gunfire at HSSK/Khartoum Airport.
The secondary risk relates to Sudan’s proximity to South Sudan - which has poor levels of ATC provision for overflights below FL245.
Major events:
Oct 2024: Foreign-registered cargo aircraft was shot down by local militia over North Darfur (Western Sudan, near the border with Chad).
Apr 2023: Military coup on Apr 15. Sudan’s airspace closed, South Sudan’s airspace closed above FL245.
Oct 2021: Military coup on Oct 25. HSSK/Khartoum airport closed for two days, with all flights suspended.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | AIC 15/24 | 14 Dec 2023 | Ongoing | |
| UK | Notam EGTT V0014/23 | 13 Jul 2023 | Ongoing | |
| Italy | AIC 33/23 | 10 Jul 2023 | 05 Oct 2024 | |
| Canada | AIC 21/24 | 18 May 2023 | Ongoing | |
| Germany | AIC 06/24 | 21 Apr 2023 | Ongoing |
Source: France
Reference: AIC 15/24
Issued: 14-Dec-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators should not enter the airspace of Sudan, nor file Sudanese airports as alternates.
From 14/12/2023 and until further notice, pilots in command of aircraft performing air services mentioned in paragraph 1.1 are requested not to penetrate in the part of the KHARTOUM FIR (HSSS) located over Sudan territory and not to identify Sudan aerodromes as alternate when planning flight operations
Source: UK
Reference: Notam EGTT V0014/23
Issued: 13-Jul-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: UK operators should not enter the airspace of Sudan due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity.
AIRSPACE SECURITY WARNING ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT- ADD NEW WARNING - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SUDAN. UK CIVIL AIR OPERATORS ARE RECOMMENDED NOT TO ENTER FIR KHARTOUM (HSSS) WITHIN THE TERRITORY AND AIRSPACE OF SUDAN. POTENTIAL RISK FROM ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY AND HEIGHTENED MILITARY ACTIVITY. CONTACT UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT +44 (0)207-082 6639 OR +44 (0)207-944-3111 OUT OF HOURS. FOR FURTHER DETAILS. 2023-04-0410/AS6. UK AIP ENR 1.1 REFERS. SFC - UNL, 13 JUL 08:28 2023 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 13 JUL 08:31 2023
Source: Italy
Reference: AIC 33/23
Issued: 10-Jul-23, valid until: 05 Oct 2024
Plain English: Italian operators should avoid the HSSS/Khartoum FIR due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity.
National air carriers and captains of acft in charge of air service managed by carriers holders of operating italian issued licence, whether they are contractual carriers and/or de facto carriers, or performing air service with commercial charter agreement or with code sharing and to all flights performed with italian civilian registration, are requested to avoid Karthoum FIR (HSSS) below FL260 due to potential risk from anti aviation weaponry.
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 21/24
Issued: 18-May-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Canadian operators should avoid the HSSS/Khartoum FIR due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity.
Level 2 (Recommendation)
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SUDAN.
Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are recommended not to enter FIR Khartoum (HSSS). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SUDAN.
Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are recommended not to enter FIR Khartoum (HSSS). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
Source: Germany
Reference: AIC 06/24
Issued: 21-Apr-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: German operators are prohibited from entering the HSSS/Khartoum FIR.
Level 3 (Highest Risk - Do Not Enter). Civil German air operators are prohibited to enter FIR KHARTOUM (HSSS) and UIR KHARTOUM (HSSS). Potential risk from anti- aviation weaponry, military operations and armed conflicts. Further information: Website of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport of Germany (WWW.BMVI.DE/KRISENMANAGEMENT).