Congo DRC
Risk Level: Two - Danger exists
[ about risk levels ]
There is ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, centred on North Kivu province around Goma along the border with Rwanda. Fighting between AFC/M23 rebels and Congolese forces continues to shift and remains unpredictable. The area should be considered an active conflict zone, with a credible risk from anti-aircraft weaponry, particularly at low level and on the ground near affected airports such as FZNA/Goma. The UK and Canada currently have airspace warnings in place covering the eastern portion of the Kinshasa FIR.
Major events:
Feb 2026: Explosive drone attacks at FZIC/Kisangani were claimed by the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, showing the group’s capability extends beyond the North Kivu/Goma area.
Jan 2026: Fighting remains active in eastern DRC despite diplomatic efforts, with rebel forces operating around key towns near the Rwanda and Burundi borders. The security situation continues to shift quickly.
Jan 2025: Rebel forces entered Goma. Heavy fighting was reported in the city and FZNA/Goma was declared closed during the clashes.
Feb 2024: A parked civilian aircraft at FZNA/Goma was damaged by at least one bomb dropped from a drone. Looks like military aircraft were being targeted.
Jan 2023: The Rwandan military shot at a fighter jet from the Congo DRC which they claimed had busted Rwandan airspace near FZNA/Goma. Reports suggest the aircraft was hit by a MANPAD at low level - the jet landed safely but sustained heavy damage.
Read: Africa Airspace Risk, Jet Shot in Rwanda, Jan 2023 (OPSGROUP article)
Major events:
Feb 2026: Explosive drone attacks at FZIC/Kisangani were claimed by the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, showing the group’s capability extends beyond the North Kivu/Goma area.
Jan 2026: Fighting remains active in eastern DRC despite diplomatic efforts, with rebel forces operating around key towns near the Rwanda and Burundi borders. The security situation continues to shift quickly.
Jan 2025: Rebel forces entered Goma. Heavy fighting was reported in the city and FZNA/Goma was declared closed during the clashes.
Feb 2024: A parked civilian aircraft at FZNA/Goma was damaged by at least one bomb dropped from a drone. Looks like military aircraft were being targeted.
Jan 2023: The Rwandan military shot at a fighter jet from the Congo DRC which they claimed had busted Rwandan airspace near FZNA/Goma. Reports suggest the aircraft was hit by a MANPAD at low level - the jet landed safely but sustained heavy damage.
Read: Africa Airspace Risk, Jet Shot in Rwanda, Jan 2023 (OPSGROUP article)
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Notam EGTT V0005/26 | 16 Jan 2026 | Ongoing | |
| Canada | AIC 21/25 | 25 Jul 2025 | Ongoing |
Source: UK
Reference: Notam EGTT V0005/26
Issued: 16-Jan-26, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: UK operators should avoid the airspace within 200NM of the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the area near FZNA/Goma airport, due to the potential risk from anti-aircraft weaponry. The restriction applies along the entire eastern border of the DRC, covering areas near Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi.
V0005/26 NOTAMN
Q) EGXX/QROXX/IV/NBO/W /000/999/5218N01451W999
A) EGTT EGPX EGGX B) 2602050000 C) PERM
E) SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO. UK REGISTERED AIR OPERATORS ARE RECOMMENDED NOT TO ENTER FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) WITHIN 200NM OF THE EASTERN BOUNDARY, BETWEEN THE 1ST PARALLEL NORTH AND THE 5TH PARALLEL SOUTH. POTENTIAL RISK FROM ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY. AR-2025-3565/03. UK AIP ENR 1.1 PARA 1.4.5 REFERS.
F) SFC G) UNL
Q) EGXX/QROXX/IV/NBO/W /000/999/5218N01451W999
A) EGTT EGPX EGGX B) 2602050000 C) PERM
E) SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO. UK REGISTERED AIR OPERATORS ARE RECOMMENDED NOT TO ENTER FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) WITHIN 200NM OF THE EASTERN BOUNDARY, BETWEEN THE 1ST PARALLEL NORTH AND THE 5TH PARALLEL SOUTH. POTENTIAL RISK FROM ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY. AR-2025-3565/03. UK AIP ENR 1.1 PARA 1.4.5 REFERS.
F) SFC G) UNL
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 21/25
Issued: 25-Jul-25, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Canadian operators should not enter an easterly portion of DROC airspace (the FZZA/Kinshasa FIR) near the Rwanda/Burundi borders below FL260 due to the potential risk from anti-aircraft weaponry.
Level 2 (Recommendation)
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO. Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are recommended to maintain a flight level equal to or above FL260 within the area bounded by 010000N 0302800E - 010000N 0253000E - 050000S 0253000E - 050000S 0292200E in FIR Kinshasa (FZZA). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry.
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO. Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are recommended to maintain a flight level equal to or above FL260 within the area bounded by 010000N 0302800E - 010000N 0253000E - 050000S 0253000E - 050000S 0292200E in FIR Kinshasa (FZZA). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry.