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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Canada | Notam CZUL H0401/25 | 31 Jan 2025 | 30 Apr 2025 | |
UK | Notam EGTT V0046/24 | 22 Nov 2024 | 19 Feb 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
Source: UK
Reference: Notam EGTT V0046/24
Issued: 22-Nov-24, valid until: 19 Feb 2025
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.
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO.
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 ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL). RISK FROM ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY. CONTACT UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT +44 (0)207-082 6639 OR +44
(0)207-944 3111 OUT OF HOURS. AR 2024-1102/AU4. SFC - UNL, 22 NOV 00:00 2024 UNTIL 19 FEB 23:59 2025.
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 ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL). RISK FROM ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY. CONTACT UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT +44 (0)207-082 6639 OR +44
(0)207-944 3111 OUT OF HOURS. AR 2024-1102/AU4. SFC - UNL, 22 NOV 00:00 2024 UNTIL 19 FEB 23:59 2025.