Ethiopia
Risk Level: Two - Danger exists
[ about risk levels ]
Update 24 Sep 2026: Tigrayan forces have taken control of HAMK/Mekelle airport in the north of Ethiopia, as fighting between them and Ethiopian government forces increases. Ethiopian Airlines has reportedly suspended flights to all three airports in the Tigray region (HAMK/Mekelle, HATF/Axum and HASI/Shire) from Sep 23 until further notice.
The primary risk to aviation is from the fighting itself. Drone strikes, missiles and other military weapons are being used in the region, creating a risk to aircraft operating close to the conflict.
Major Events:
Sep 2026: Fighting escalated in Tigray. Tigrayan forces took HAMK/Mekelle, and Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to all three Tigray airports.
Feb 2024: Fighting flared up again in Amhara, including air strikes.
Nov 2022: Peace deal agreed in Tigray. Ethiopian Airlines planned to resume flights to HAMK/Mekelle.
July 2021: HAAA/Addis FIR closed airspace below FL290 over Tigray after a military aircraft was reportedly shot down near Mekele.
Nov 2020: Major escalation in Tigray. Several airways were closed, airports were hit by rockets, and missiles were fired into Eritrea. HABD/Bahir Dar and HAGN/Gondar were also targeted.
Sep 2018: Ethiopian ATC controllers went on strike, with retired and foreign controllers brought in to cover operations.
The primary risk to aviation is from the fighting itself. Drone strikes, missiles and other military weapons are being used in the region, creating a risk to aircraft operating close to the conflict.
Major Events:
Sep 2026: Fighting escalated in Tigray. Tigrayan forces took HAMK/Mekelle, and Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to all three Tigray airports.
Feb 2024: Fighting flared up again in Amhara, including air strikes.
Nov 2022: Peace deal agreed in Tigray. Ethiopian Airlines planned to resume flights to HAMK/Mekelle.
July 2021: HAAA/Addis FIR closed airspace below FL290 over Tigray after a military aircraft was reportedly shot down near Mekele.
Nov 2020: Major escalation in Tigray. Several airways were closed, airports were hit by rockets, and missiles were fired into Eritrea. HABD/Bahir Dar and HAGN/Gondar were also targeted.
Sep 2018: Ethiopian ATC controllers went on strike, with retired and foreign controllers brought in to cover operations.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Notam EGTT V0030/26 | 23 Sep 2026 | 21 Dec 2026 | |
| Italy | Notam LIRR E2228/26 | 01 Sep 2026 | 29 Nov 2026 | |
| EASA | Information Note | 30 Apr 2026 | 31 Oct 2026 | |
| Germany | AIC 03/26 | 02 Apr 2026 | Ongoing | |
| France | AIC 011/26 | 14 Dec 2023 | Ongoing | |
| OPSGROUP | Airspace Risk Warning ARW11-2020 | 17 Nov 2020 | Ongoing | |
| KACTA | Letter of Concern Safety Issues in Ethiopia | 30 Aug 2018 | Ongoing | |
| OPSGROUP | Research Article Ethiopia Covering Up ATC Strike | 29 Aug 2018 | Ongoing |
Source: UK
Reference: Notam EGTT V0030/26
Issued: 23-Sep-26, valid until: 21 Dec 2026
Plain English: Caution to Uk operators overflying the Tigray region.
V0030/26 NOTAMN
Q) EGXX/QROXX/IV/NBO/W /000/999/5218N01451W999
A) EGPX EGTT EGGX B) 2609231550 C) 2612211200
E) SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN ETHIOPIA. UK REGISTERED AIR OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE POTENTIAL RISK INTO ACCOUNT OVERFLYING THE TIGRAY REGION WITHIN THE AREA BOUNDED BY STRAIGHT LINES JOINING:
141710N 0363322E - 142446N 0370739E - 142632N 0371832E -
141657N 0373431E - 145321N 0375439E - 144043N 0381533E -
142507N 0382808E - 144003N 0390443E - 142647N 0395852E -
121928N 0394651E - 121745N 0391715E - 131547N 0384344E -
133817N 0374637E - 132131N 0365946E - 134652N 0362746E -
141710N 0363322E WITHIN FIR ADDIS ABABA (HAAA) DUE TO HEIGHTENED MILITARY ACTIVITY. AR-2026-8985/01.
F) SFC G) UNL
Q) EGXX/QROXX/IV/NBO/W /000/999/5218N01451W999
A) EGPX EGTT EGGX B) 2609231550 C) 2612211200
E) SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN ETHIOPIA. UK REGISTERED AIR OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE POTENTIAL RISK INTO ACCOUNT OVERFLYING THE TIGRAY REGION WITHIN THE AREA BOUNDED BY STRAIGHT LINES JOINING:
141710N 0363322E - 142446N 0370739E - 142632N 0371832E -
141657N 0373431E - 145321N 0375439E - 144043N 0381533E -
142507N 0382808E - 144003N 0390443E - 142647N 0395852E -
121928N 0394651E - 121745N 0391715E - 131547N 0384344E -
133817N 0374637E - 132131N 0365946E - 134652N 0362746E -
141710N 0363322E WITHIN FIR ADDIS ABABA (HAAA) DUE TO HEIGHTENED MILITARY ACTIVITY. AR-2026-8985/01.
F) SFC G) UNL
Source: Italy
Reference: Notam LIRR E2228/26
Issued: 01-Sep-26, valid until: 29 Nov 2026
Plain English: Caution to Italian operators in the HAAA/Addis Ababa FIR due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry.
ITALIAN AIR CARRIERS AND CAPTAINS OF AIRCRAFT IN CHARGE OF AIR SERVICES OPERATED BY CARRIERS HOLDING AN OPERATING LICENSE ISSUED BY ITALY, WHETHER THEY ARE CONTRACTUAL CARRIERS AND/OR OPERATING CARRIERS, OR PERFORMING AIR SERVICES THROUGH A WET LEASE OR A CODESHARE AGREEMENT AS WELL AS FOR ANY FLIGHT MADE WITH AN AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN ITALY WHEN PLANNING FLIGHT OPERATIONS SHALL TAKE INTO SERIOUS CONSIDERATION THE HAZARDOUS SITUATION POSED WITHIN ADDIS ABEBA FIR (HAAA) FROM DEDICATED ANTI AVIATION WEAPONRY IN THEIR RISK ASSESSMENTS AND ROUTING DECISIONS ACCORDING TO EASA SAFETY DIRECTIVES.
Source: EASA
Reference: Information Note
Issued: 30-Apr-26, valid until: 31 Oct 2026
Plain English: Operators should take potential risk into account below FL260 in the airspace of Ethiopia - in particular northern parts.
Information Note on the threat and risk situation in the airspace of Ethiopia (FIR Addis Ababa - HAAA)
Airspace affected:
Ethiopia (FIR Addis Ababa - HAAA), in particular northern parts - north of 8.5°N latitude - below FL260.
Civil air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions.
Airspace affected:
Ethiopia (FIR Addis Ababa - HAAA), in particular northern parts - north of 8.5°N latitude - below FL260.
Civil air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions.
Source: Germany
Reference: AIC 03/26
Issued: 02-Apr-26, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Caution to German operators in the HAAA/Addis Ababa FIR due to risk posed by anti-aircraft weaponry.
Level 1 (Lowest risk).
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN ETHIOPIA.
Civil German air operators are advised to take potential risk into
account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within
FIR ADDIS ABABA (HAAA). Potential risk from military conflicts with drones, fighter jets, artillery and anti-aviation weaponry.
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN ETHIOPIA.
Civil German air operators are advised to take potential risk into
account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within
FIR ADDIS ABABA (HAAA). Potential risk from military conflicts with drones, fighter jets, artillery and anti-aviation weaponry.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 011/26
Issued: 14-Dec-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators should not fly in the northern section of the HAAA/Addis Ababa FIR below FL320 (previous advice advised against all flights in this area).
From 14/12/2023 and until further notice, pilots in command of aircraft performing air services mentioned in paragraph 1.1 are requested:
- to maintain at all times a flight level above or equal to FL320 in the airspace of Ethiopia (FIR ADDIS ABABA (HAAA)) corresponding to the TMA (terminal manoeuvring area) of MEKELE aerodrome as well as in the portion of airspace defined by the points: 135914.7N - 0362048.9E, 130042.8N
- 0365122.9E, ETOBU (132132N - 0373433E), TILUD (134116N 0375950E), EVITO (142911N 0382424E), the boundary between the ADDIS ABABA (HAAA) and ASMARA (HHAA) flight information regions and the boundary between the ADDIS ABABA (HAAA) and KHARTOUM (HSSX) flight information regions ;
- to exercise great caution when overflying within the rest of ADDIS ABABA FIR (HAAA) below FL320.
- to maintain at all times a flight level above or equal to FL320 in the airspace of Ethiopia (FIR ADDIS ABABA (HAAA)) corresponding to the TMA (terminal manoeuvring area) of MEKELE aerodrome as well as in the portion of airspace defined by the points: 135914.7N - 0362048.9E, 130042.8N
- 0365122.9E, ETOBU (132132N - 0373433E), TILUD (134116N 0375950E), EVITO (142911N 0382424E), the boundary between the ADDIS ABABA (HAAA) and ASMARA (HHAA) flight information regions and the boundary between the ADDIS ABABA (HAAA) and KHARTOUM (HSSX) flight information regions ;
- to exercise great caution when overflying within the rest of ADDIS ABABA FIR (HAAA) below FL320.
Source: OPSGROUP
Reference: Airspace Risk Warning ARW11-2020
Issued: 17-Nov-20, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Airspace Risk warning for Ethiopia/Eritrea - Tigray Conflict Zone. Risk to overflights on adjacent airways, and airports in region.
See PDF for full content.
Source: KACTA
Reference: Letter of Concern Safety Issues in Ethiopia
Issued: 30-Aug-18, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Kenyan ATC Controllers have listed out several major issues with safety both in Ethiopia and in the area shared with Kenyan airspace.
Source: OPSGROUP
Issued: 29-Aug-18, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Ethiopian ATC Controllers went on strike, and ECAA and Ethiopian Airlines used foreign and retired controllers to cover, causing safety concerns.
See link for full story.