Congo DRC
Risk Level: Three - Caution
[ about risk levels ]
There is ongoing fighting between a rebel group and the Rwandan military in the North Kivu province - along the border between Congo DRC and Rwanda. Only the UK and Canada have issued airspace warnings here so far. The area should be considered an active conflict zone, with risk to civilian aircraft at low level or on the ground.
Major events:
Jan 2025: Rebel forces have now entered Goma - the capital of North Kivu Province (Eastern DRC). Heavy gunfire is being reported in the city. They have declared that FZNA/Goma and its airspace are now closed.
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 man portable air defence system (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:
Jan 2025: Rebel forces have now entered Goma - the capital of North Kivu Province (Eastern DRC). Heavy gunfire is being reported in the city. They have declared that FZNA/Goma and its airspace are now closed.
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 man portable air defence system (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 EGGX V0012/25 | 14 Feb 2025 | 15 May 2025 | |
| Canada | Notam CZUL H0401/25 | 31 Jan 2025 | 30 Apr 2025 |
Source: UK
Reference: Notam EGGX V0012/25
Issued: 14-Feb-25, valid until: 15 May 2025
Plain English: UK operators should avoid entering the airspace within 200NM of the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the area near FZNA/Goma airport, below 25,000ft AGL, 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.
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, BTN THE 1ST PARALLEL NORTH AND THE 5TH PARALLEL SOUTH, BELOW 25,000FT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. POTENTIAL RISK FROM ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY. FOR MORE INFO CONTACT UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT 02070 826639 OR 02079 443111 OUT OF HOURS. AR-2025-847/02. SFC - UNL, 14 FEB 09:56 2025 UNTIL 15 MAY 23:59 2025.
UK REGISTERED AIR OPERATORS ARE RECOMMENDED NOT TO ENTER FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) WITHIN 200NM OF THE EASTERN BOUNDARY, BTN THE 1ST PARALLEL NORTH AND THE 5TH PARALLEL SOUTH, BELOW 25,000FT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. POTENTIAL RISK FROM ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY. FOR MORE INFO CONTACT UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT 02070 826639 OR 02079 443111 OUT OF HOURS. AR-2025-847/02. SFC - UNL, 14 FEB 09:56 2025 UNTIL 15 MAY 23:59 2025.
Source: Canada
Reference: Notam CZUL H0401/25
Issued: 31-Jan-25, valid until: 30 Apr 2025
Plain English: Canadian operators should not enter DROC airspace (the FZZA/Kinshasa FIR) below FL260 due to the potential risk from anti-aircraft weaponry.
AIRSPACE SECURITY WARNING ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT IN RESPONSE TO THE SECURITY SITUATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. CANADIAN AIR OPR AND OWNERS OF ACFT REGISTERED IN CANADA ARE RECOMMENDED NOT TO ENTER FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) BELOW FL260 DUE TO RISK FROM ANTI-ACFT WEAPONRY. 31 JAN 14:48 2025 UNTIL 30 APR 14:00 2025 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 31 JAN 14:48 2025