Mali
Risk Level: Two - Danger exists
[ about risk levels ]
The conflict in northern and central Mali has continued since 2012 and the security situation remains volatile. Several countries have airspace warnings in place, typically advising operations at or above FL250 or FL260 and avoiding GATB/Timbuktu, GAGO/Gao and GAKL/Kidal.
The US advises caution in Mali airspace at all levels due to ongoing fighting, expanding militant activity, and the presence of a state run paramilitary force operating anti aircraft systems, military aircraft, UAS and electronic warfare equipment.
The primary risks include MANPADS and other surface to air weapons, indirect fire near airports, and the potential for misidentification or spillover from military activity. Low level and airport phase operations carry the highest exposure.
ATS in Mali is provided by the GOOO/Dakar and DRRR/Niamey FIRs. They have a long-standing restriction for overflights of Mali to published ATS routes at FL320 and above. More info can be found in this ASECNA AIP SUP.
Major events:
Sep 2024: Insurgents breached GABS/Bamako and set the presidential jet on fire. Multiple attacks occurred across the city and the airport closed temporarily. This was the first major attack in Bamako in several years.
Dec 2023: Germany prohibited its operators below FL260 in northern Mali due to escalating militant activity. Commercial flights to GATB/Timbuktu were cancelled after shelling near the airport. A military jet crashed near GAGO/Gao the same day, with reports it may have been shot down.
Aug 2020: All airports closed for two days during a military coup. Bamako ACC remained operational and overflights were unaffected.
Apr 2018: Militants attacked UN bases near GATB/Timbuktu using indirect fire and vehicle bombs.
Jan 2017 and Nov 2016: Vehicle bomb and rocket attacks targeted GAGO/Gao and GATB/Timbuktu airports.
The US advises caution in Mali airspace at all levels due to ongoing fighting, expanding militant activity, and the presence of a state run paramilitary force operating anti aircraft systems, military aircraft, UAS and electronic warfare equipment.
The primary risks include MANPADS and other surface to air weapons, indirect fire near airports, and the potential for misidentification or spillover from military activity. Low level and airport phase operations carry the highest exposure.
ATS in Mali is provided by the GOOO/Dakar and DRRR/Niamey FIRs. They have a long-standing restriction for overflights of Mali to published ATS routes at FL320 and above. More info can be found in this ASECNA AIP SUP.
Major events:
Sep 2024: Insurgents breached GABS/Bamako and set the presidential jet on fire. Multiple attacks occurred across the city and the airport closed temporarily. This was the first major attack in Bamako in several years.
Dec 2023: Germany prohibited its operators below FL260 in northern Mali due to escalating militant activity. Commercial flights to GATB/Timbuktu were cancelled after shelling near the airport. A military jet crashed near GAGO/Gao the same day, with reports it may have been shot down.
Aug 2020: All airports closed for two days during a military coup. Bamako ACC remained operational and overflights were unaffected.
Apr 2018: Militants attacked UN bases near GATB/Timbuktu using indirect fire and vehicle bombs.
Jan 2017 and Nov 2016: Vehicle bomb and rocket attacks targeted GAGO/Gao and GATB/Timbuktu airports.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Notam KICZ A0023/26 | 20 Feb 2026 | 21 Feb 2027 | |
| USA | FAA Background Notice | 20 Feb 2026 | Ongoing | |
| Italy | Notam LIRR E2876/25 | 16 Dec 2025 | 15 Mar 2026 | |
| Mali | Notam GOOO A0387/25 & DAAA A1040/25 | 07 Apr 2025 | Ongoing | |
| Germany | AIC 08/25 | 19 Nov 2024 | Ongoing | |
| UK | UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) | 17 Mar 2023 | Ongoing | |
| France | AIC 002/26 | 09 Apr 2020 | Ongoing | |
| EASA | CZIB 2017-01R19 | 31 Mar 2017 | 30 Apr 2026 |
Source: USA
Reference: Notam KICZ A0023/26
Issued: 20-Feb-26, valid until: 21 Feb 2027
Plain English: US operators advised to exercise caution in Mali airspace at all levels due to ongoing fighting, militant activity, state-run paramilitary presence, and advanced air defense systems.
A0023/26 NOTAMN
Q) KICZ/QRDLP/IV/NBO/AE/000/999/
A) KICZ PART 1 OF 2
B) 2602202001
C) 2702212359
E) SECURITY...UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ADVISORY FOR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN MALI
U.S. OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN FLYING INTO, OUT OF, WITHIN, OR OVER THE TERRITORY AND AIRSPACE OF MALI AT ALL ALTITUDES DUE TO AN UNSTABLE SECURITY SITUATION, INCLUDING ONGOING FIGHTING, EXPANDING EXTREMIST/MILITANT ACTIVITY, CONTINUED HOSTING OF A STATE-RUN, OFFICIAL PARAMILITARY PRESENCE, AND THE PRESENCE OF AN ADVANCED AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM. WEAPONS COULD POSE A POTENTIAL RISK TO AIRCRAFT AT ALL ALTITUDES, INCLUDING DURING OVERFLIGHT, THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE PHASES OF FLIGHT, AND/OR AIRPORTS AND AIRCRAFT ON THE GROUND.
THIS NOTAM APPLIES TO ALL U.S. AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS; ALL PERSONS EXERCISING THE PRIVILEGES OF AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE FAA, EXCEPT SUCH PERSONS OPERATING U.S.-REGISTERED AIRCRAFT FOR A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER; AND ALL OPERATORS OF CIVIL AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT WHEN THE OPERATOR OF SUCH AIRCRAFT IS A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.
REFER TO THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION NOTICE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON RISK CONCERNS FOR U.S. CIVIL AVIATION OPERATIONS IN THE AFFECTED AIRSPACE AT HTTPS://WWW.FAA.GOV/AIR_TRAFFIC/PUBLICATIONS/US_RESTRICTIONS.
PROVIDE AT LEAST 72-HOUR ADVANCE NOTICE OF PLANNED FLIGHTS TO THE FAA AT FAA-WATCH@FAA.GOV WITH SPECIFIC FLIGHT DETAILS.
REPORT ANY SAFETY/SECURITY INCIDENTS OBSERVED/EXPERIENCED WHILE OPERATING IN THE AFFECTED AIRSPACE TO THE FAA'S WASHINGTON OPERATIONS CENTER AT +1 (202) 267-3333.
F) SFC G) UNL
U.S. OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN FLYING INTO, OUT OF, WITHIN, OR OVER THE TERRITORY AND AIRSPACE OF MALI AT ALL ALTITUDES DUE TO AN UNSTABLE SECURITY SITUATION, INCLUDING ONGOING FIGHTING, EXPANDING EXTREMIST/MILITANT ACTIVITY, CONTINUED HOSTING OF A STATE-RUN, OFFICIAL PARAMILITARY PRESENCE, AND THE PRESENCE OF AN ADVANCED AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM. WEAPONS COULD POSE A POTENTIAL RISK TO AIRCRAFT AT ALL ALTITUDES, INCLUDING DURING OVERFLIGHT, THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE PHASES OF FLIGHT, AND/OR AIRPORTS AND AIRCRAFT ON THE GROUND.
THIS NOTAM APPLIES TO ALL U.S. AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS; ALL PERSONS EXERCISING THE PRIVILEGES OF AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE FAA, EXCEPT SUCH PERSONS OPERATING U.S.-REGISTERED AIRCRAFT FOR A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER; AND ALL OPERATORS OF CIVIL AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT WHEN THE OPERATOR OF SUCH AIRCRAFT IS A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.
REFER TO THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION NOTICE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON RISK CONCERNS FOR U.S. CIVIL AVIATION OPERATIONS IN THE AFFECTED AIRSPACE AT HTTPS://WWW.FAA.GOV/AIR_TRAFFIC/PUBLICATIONS/US_RESTRICTIONS.
PROVIDE AT LEAST 72-HOUR ADVANCE NOTICE OF PLANNED FLIGHTS TO THE FAA AT FAA-WATCH@FAA.GOV WITH SPECIFIC FLIGHT DETAILS.
REPORT ANY SAFETY/SECURITY INCIDENTS OBSERVED/EXPERIENCED WHILE OPERATING IN THE AFFECTED AIRSPACE TO THE FAA'S WASHINGTON OPERATIONS CENTER AT +1 (202) 267-3333.
F) SFC G) UNL
Source: USA
Reference: FAA Background Notice
Issued: 20-Feb-26, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Caution for US operators in Mali airspace at all levels due to ongoing fighting, expanding militant activity, and the presence of a state-run paramilitary force operating advanced air defense, aircraft, UAS and electronic warfare systems.
Click link for full text.
Source: Italy
Reference: Notam LIRR E2876/25
Issued: 16-Dec-25, valid until: 15 Mar 2026
Plain English: Italian operators should avoid the airspace of Mali below 25000ft AGL.
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 ARE RECOMMENDED TO AVOID PORTIONS OF DAKAR FIR (GOOO) AND NIAMEY FIR (DRRR) WITHIN TERRITORY AND AIRSPACE OF MALI BELOW HEIGHT 25000FT AGL AND ACCORDING TO EASA SAFETY DIRECTIVES.
Source: Mali
Reference: Notam GOOO A0387/25 & DAAA A1040/25
Issued: 07-Apr-25, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Mali and Algeria have a reciprocal airspace ban in place due to ongoing political disputes. Algeria has banned flights from the DAAA/Alger FIR if they are operating to or from airports in Mali. Mali goes one step further - they ban flights from their airspace if arriving from or heading into Algerian airspace, regardless of whether a landing is planned at an Algerian airport.
GOOO A0387/25 - THE AIRSPACE OVER THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALI IS CLOSED TO ALL CIVIL AND MILITARY AIRCRAFTS REGISTERED IN ALGERIA, FOREIGN CIVIL AND MILITARY AIRCRAFT COMING FROM AND GOING TO AN AERODROME LOCATED ON ALGERIAN TERRITORY AS WELL AS AIRCRAFTS COMING FROM OR GOING TO ALGERIAN AIRSPACE. GND - UNL, 15 APR 12:56 2025 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 17 APR 15:37 2025
DAAA A1040/25 - THE NATIONAL AIRSPAICE IS CLOSED TO ALL MALIAN CIVIL AND MILITARY AIRCRAFTS AND ALL THOSE BEARING MALIAN REGISTRATIONS NUMBERS. AS WELL AS ALL FORIEGN CIVIL AND MILITARY AIRCRAFT COMING FROM AND GOING TO ONE OR MORE MALIAN AERODROMES OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAFIC .BEGENING FROM MONDAY APR/07/2025. GND - UNL, 07 APR 18:10 2025 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 07 APR 18:12 2025
DAAA A1040/25 - THE NATIONAL AIRSPAICE IS CLOSED TO ALL MALIAN CIVIL AND MILITARY AIRCRAFTS AND ALL THOSE BEARING MALIAN REGISTRATIONS NUMBERS. AS WELL AS ALL FORIEGN CIVIL AND MILITARY AIRCRAFT COMING FROM AND GOING TO ONE OR MORE MALIAN AERODROMES OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAFIC .BEGENING FROM MONDAY APR/07/2025. GND - UNL, 07 APR 18:10 2025 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 07 APR 18:12 2025
Source: Germany
Reference: AIC 08/25
Issued: 19-Nov-24, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: German operators should not enter the airspace of Mali below FL260.
Level 2 warning (medium).
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN MALI
Civil German air operators are recommended not to enter the parts of FIR NIAMEY (DRRR) and FIR DAKAR (GOOO) within the territory and airspace of Mali below FL260. Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and terrorist attacks at all airports.
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN MALI
Civil German air operators are recommended not to enter the parts of FIR NIAMEY (DRRR) and FIR DAKAR (GOOO) within the territory and airspace of Mali below FL260. Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and terrorist attacks at all airports.
Source: UK
Reference: UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5)
Issued: 17-Mar-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Caution to UK operators in the airspace of Mali due to the potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry.
Security - Hazardous Situation in Mali
UK civil air operators are advised to take potential risk into account within FIR NIAMEY (DRRR) and FIR DAKAR (GOOO) within the territory and airspace of Mali. Potential risk from anti-aircraft weaponry.
UK civil air operators are advised to take potential risk into account within FIR NIAMEY (DRRR) and FIR DAKAR (GOOO) within the territory and airspace of Mali. Potential risk from anti-aircraft weaponry.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 002/26
Issued: 09-Apr-20, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators overflying the part of the DRRR/Niamey FIR located above the Malian territory should be at or above FL320.
From 09/04/2020 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 part of the Niamey FIR (DRRR) located above the Malian territory.
Source: EASA
Reference: CZIB 2017-01R19
Issued: 31-Mar-17, valid until: 30 Apr 2026
Plain English: Operators should avoid the airspace of Mali below FL260, particularly the northeast of the country.
This CZIB is issued on the basis of information available to EU Member States and EU institutions. The presence of violent non-state actors (VNSA) groups with access to anti-aviation weaponry is assessed to pose a HIGH risk to operations in FIR Niamey (DRRR) and FIR Dakar (GOOO) within the territory
and airspace of Mali below FL260. The significant increase of severe VNSA attacks and their activity in the north-east of Mali poses a particular high risk to civil aviation in that area and highlights the volatile situation in the country and continuous potential for miscalculation and/or misidentification. VNSA groups are in likely possession of man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) and surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) which creates both intentional and unintentional risks for civil aviation operations.
EASA recommends air operators to avoid operations in FIR Niamey (DRRR) and FIR Dakar (GOOO) within the territory and airspace of Mali below FL260, in particular at the north-east of Mali.
and airspace of Mali below FL260. The significant increase of severe VNSA attacks and their activity in the north-east of Mali poses a particular high risk to civil aviation in that area and highlights the volatile situation in the country and continuous potential for miscalculation and/or misidentification. VNSA groups are in likely possession of man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) and surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) which creates both intentional and unintentional risks for civil aviation operations.
EASA recommends air operators to avoid operations in FIR Niamey (DRRR) and FIR Dakar (GOOO) within the territory and airspace of Mali below FL260, in particular at the north-east of Mali.