Ethiopia
Risk Level: Two - Danger exists
[ about risk levels ]
Oct 2026: Government-aligned forces have retaken Mekelle after Tigrayan forces withdrew from the city on 3 October. Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to HAMK/Mekelle on 11 October, but fighting and wider tensions in northern Ethiopia continue.
The primary risk is armed conflict, including drone, artillery and anti-aircraft activity, particularly in Tigray, Afar and Amhara. The UK advises operators to consider the risk when overflying these regions. Italy and Germany warn of military threats across the HAAA/Addis Ababa FIR. EASA advises risk assessment below FL260, especially north of 8.5°N. French operators should remain at or above FL320 in specified northern airspace and use great caution below FL320 elsewhere in the FIR.
Major Events:
Oct 2026: Government-aligned forces retook Mekelle. Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to HAMK/Mekelle on 11 Oct. Fighting and regional tensions continue.
Sep 2026: Tigrayan forces took control of HAMK/Mekelle. Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to HAMK/Mekelle, HATF/Axum and HASI/Shire as fighting escalated.
Feb 2024: Fighting flared again in Amhara, including air strikes.
Nov 2022: A peace deal was agreed in Tigray. Ethiopian Airlines planned to resume flights to HAMK/Mekelle.
July 2021: HAAA/Addis Ababa FIR airspace below FL290 was closed over Tigray after a military aircraft was reportedly shot down near Mekelle.
Nov 2020: Conflict escalated in Tigray. Airways were closed, airports hit by rockets and missiles fired into Eritrea.
Sep 2018: Ethiopian ATC controllers went on strike. Retired and foreign controllers were brought in to cover ops.
The primary risk is armed conflict, including drone, artillery and anti-aircraft activity, particularly in Tigray, Afar and Amhara. The UK advises operators to consider the risk when overflying these regions. Italy and Germany warn of military threats across the HAAA/Addis Ababa FIR. EASA advises risk assessment below FL260, especially north of 8.5°N. French operators should remain at or above FL320 in specified northern airspace and use great caution below FL320 elsewhere in the FIR.
Major Events:
Oct 2026: Government-aligned forces retook Mekelle. Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to HAMK/Mekelle on 11 Oct. Fighting and regional tensions continue.
Sep 2026: Tigrayan forces took control of HAMK/Mekelle. Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to HAMK/Mekelle, HATF/Axum and HASI/Shire as fighting escalated.
Feb 2024: Fighting flared again in Amhara, including air strikes.
Nov 2022: A peace deal was agreed in Tigray. Ethiopian Airlines planned to resume flights to HAMK/Mekelle.
July 2021: HAAA/Addis Ababa FIR airspace below FL290 was closed over Tigray after a military aircraft was reportedly shot down near Mekelle.
Nov 2020: Conflict escalated in Tigray. Airways were closed, airports hit by rockets and missiles fired into Eritrea.
Sep 2018: Ethiopian ATC controllers went on strike. Retired and foreign controllers were brought in to cover ops.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Notam EGTT V0030/26 | 02 Oct 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: 02-Oct-26, valid until: 21 Dec 2026
Plain English: Caution to UK operators overflying the Tigray, Afar and Amhara regions.
V0032/26 NOTAMR V0030/26
Q) EGXX/QROXX/IV/NBO/W /000/999/5218N01451W999
A) EGTT B) 2610021028 C) 2612211200
E) SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN ETHIOPIA. UK REGISTERED AIR OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE POTENTIAL RISK INTO ACCOUNT WHEN OPERATING IN FIR ADDIS ABABA (HAAA) WHEN OVERFLYING TIGRAY, AFAR AND AMHARA REGIONS WITHIN THE AREA BOUNDED BY STRAIGHT LINES JOINING: 145300N 0362700E - 143000N 0390000E - 141200N 0404800E - 132400N 0414200E - 111200N 0415100E - 090000N 0400600E - 084500N 0380600E - 091200N 0361200E - 111200N 0355400E - 132400N 0360600E - 145300N 0362700E. DUE TO HEIGHTENED MILITARY ACTIVITY. AR-2026-8985/02.
F) SFC G) UNL
Q) EGXX/QROXX/IV/NBO/W /000/999/5218N01451W999
A) EGTT B) 2610021028 C) 2612211200
E) SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN ETHIOPIA. UK REGISTERED AIR OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE POTENTIAL RISK INTO ACCOUNT WHEN OPERATING IN FIR ADDIS ABABA (HAAA) WHEN OVERFLYING TIGRAY, AFAR AND AMHARA REGIONS WITHIN THE AREA BOUNDED BY STRAIGHT LINES JOINING: 145300N 0362700E - 143000N 0390000E - 141200N 0404800E - 132400N 0414200E - 111200N 0415100E - 090000N 0400600E - 084500N 0380600E - 091200N 0361200E - 111200N 0355400E - 132400N 0360600E - 145300N 0362700E. DUE TO HEIGHTENED MILITARY ACTIVITY. AR-2026-8985/02.
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.