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 has issued an airspace warning 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:
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 EGTT V0010/24 24 Feb 2024 27 May 2024
Source: UK
Issued: 24-Feb-24, valid until: 27 May 2024
Plain English: UK operators should not enter the airspace along the border between Congo DRC and Rwanda near FZNA/Goma airport below 25,000ft AGL, due to the potential risk from anti-aircraft weaponry.
AIRSPACE SECURITY WARNING ISSUED BY THE UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT. UK CIVIL AIR OPERATORS ARE RECOMMENDED NOT TO ENTER FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) WITHIN 100 NM OF THE EASTERN BOUNDARY, BETWEEN THE 1ST PARALLEL NORTH AND THE 2ND PARALLEL SOUTH, BELOW 25,000FT AGL DUE TO RISK FROM ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY. FOR MORE INFO UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT 0207 082 6639 OR 0207 944 3111 OUT OF HOURS. AR-2024-1102/AU4. SFC - UNL, 26 FEB 15:45 2024 UNTIL 26 MAY 23:59 2024 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 26 FEB 15:54 2024