Mali
Risk Level: Two - Danger exists
[ about risk levels ]
The northern Mali War has been ongoing since 2012, and there have been no improvements in stability. Several countries have airspace warnings in place, advising to operate FL250/260 or higher, and avoiding GATB, GAGO, and GAKL airports, due to ongoing fighting and militant activity. The US advise caution in Mali's airspace at all levels - due to an expanding foreign private military presence, and the introduction of an advanced air defense system.
The primary risk is from indirect mortar and rocket fire, including MANPADS, which could target aircraft at low altitudes and at airports. The FAA say that militants in Mali primarily target UN and Malian forces which are often based near to Malian airports, and these attacks present an indirect threat to civil aviation.
Major events:
Aug 2020 All airports across the country were closed from Aug 19-20 following a military coup which overthrew the government. Bamako ACC remained operational throughout, with overflights unaffected.
April 2018: Militants attacked UN peacekeepers at two bases near GATB/Timbuktu Airport using both indirect fire weapons and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.
Jan 2017 and Nov 2016: Militants conducted vehicle-borne improvised explosive attacks against GAGO/Gao Airport, and rocket attacks against GATB/Timbuktu Airport.
Senegal and Niger control the airspace over Mali, and they have long-standing Notams (published under the GOOO/Dakar and DRRR/Niamey FIRs) warning that you can only fly between FL320-400 through the entire airspace in Mali north of the GABS/Bamako TMA due to military ops across the region.

The primary risk is from indirect mortar and rocket fire, including MANPADS, which could target aircraft at low altitudes and at airports. The FAA say that militants in Mali primarily target UN and Malian forces which are often based near to Malian airports, and these attacks present an indirect threat to civil aviation.
Major events:
Aug 2020 All airports across the country were closed from Aug 19-20 following a military coup which overthrew the government. Bamako ACC remained operational throughout, with overflights unaffected.
April 2018: Militants attacked UN peacekeepers at two bases near GATB/Timbuktu Airport using both indirect fire weapons and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.
Jan 2017 and Nov 2016: Militants conducted vehicle-borne improvised explosive attacks against GAGO/Gao Airport, and rocket attacks against GATB/Timbuktu Airport.
Senegal and Niger control the airspace over Mali, and they have long-standing Notams (published under the GOOO/Dakar and DRRR/Niamey FIRs) warning that you can only fly between FL320-400 through the entire airspace in Mali north of the GABS/Bamako TMA due to military ops across the region.

Current warnings list :
Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
---|---|---|---|---|
UK | Notam V0008/23 | 17 Mar 2023 | 16 Jun 2023 | |
USA | Notam KICZ A0001/23 | 23 Feb 2023 | 23 Feb 2024 | |
USA | US FAA Background Notice | 23 Feb 2023 | Ongoing | |
France | AIC 24/22 | 09 Apr 2020 | Ongoing | |
Germany | AIC 5/23 | 16 Aug 2017 | Ongoing |
Source: UK
Reference: Notam V0008/23
Issued: 17-Mar-23, valid until: 16 Jun 2023
Plain English: Potential risk to overflights of Mali at all flight levels (increase from FL250 as per UK AIP).
CURRENT AIRSPACE WARNING - SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN MALI - REPLACE THE CURRENT ENTRY WITH THE FOLLOWING: 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. UPPER ALTITUDE TO READ UNLIMITED. CONTACT UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT +44 (0)207-082 6639 OR +44 (0)207-944 3111 OUT OF HOURS. UK AIP ENR 1.1, PARAGRAPH 1.4.5 REFERS. 2023-03-0374/AS6. SFC - UNL, 17 MAR 09:30 2023 UNTIL 15 JUN 23:59 2023. CREATED: 17 MAR 09:33 2023
Source: USA
Reference: Notam KICZ A0001/23
Issued: 23-Feb-23, valid until: 23 Feb 2024
Plain English: Caution for US operators in Mali's airspace at all levels - an increase from FL260. This is due to a deteriorating security situation, ongoing fighting and militant activity, an expanding foreign private military presence, and the introduction of an advanced air defense system.
SECURITY..UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ADVISORY FOR MALI THOSE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A (APPLICABILITY) BELOW SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN FLYING INTO, OUT OF, WITHIN, OR OVER THE TERRITORY AND AIRSPACE OF MALI AT ALL ALTITUDES DUE TO A WORSENING SECURITY SITUATION, INCLUDING ONGOING FIGHTING, EXTREMIST/MILITANT ACTIVITY, AN EXPANDING FOREIGN PRIVATE MILITARY PRESENCE, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ADVANCED AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM. A. APPLICABILITY. 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 WHERE THE OPERATOR OF SUCH AIRCRAFT IS A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER. B. PLANNING. THOSE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A (APPLICABILITY) PLANNING TO FLY INTO, OUT OF, WITHIN, OR OVER THE ABOVE-NAMED AREA ARE STRONGLY REMINDED TO REVIEW CURRENT SECURITY/THREAT INFORMATION AND NOTAMS; COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE FAA REGULATIONS, OPERATIONS SPECIFICATIONS, MANAGEMENT SPECIFICATIONS, AND LETTERS OF AUTHORIZATION, INCLUDING UPDATING B450; AND, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE, PROVIDE AT LEAST 72-HOUR ADVANCE NOTICE OF PLANNED FLIGHTS TO THE FAA AT FAA-WATCH@FAA.GOV WITH SPECIFIC FLIGHT DETAILS. C. OPERATIONS. 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. THOSE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A (APPLICABILITY) MUST REPORT SAFETY AND/OR SECURITY INCIDENTS TO THE FAA AT +1 202-267-3333. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED AT: HTTPS://WWW.FAA.GOV/AIR_TRAFFIC/PUBLICATIONS/US_RESTRICTIONS/. SFC - FL999, 23 FEB 22:50 2023 UNTIL 23 FEB 23:59 2024. CREATED: 23 FEB 21:45 2023
Source: USA
Reference: US FAA Background Notice
Issued: 23-Feb-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Caution for US operators in Mali's airspace at all levels - an increase from FL260. This is due to a deteriorating security situation, ongoing fighting and militant activity, an expanding foreign private military presence, and the introduction of an advanced air defense system.
Click link for full text.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 24/22
Issued: 09-Apr-20, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Overflights should be at FL320 or above.
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: Germany
Reference: AIC 5/23
Issued: 16-Aug-17, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Overflights should be at FL260 or above.
Civil German air operators are recommended not to enter 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 the airports Tombouctou (GATB), Gao (GAGO), Mopti (GAMB) and Kidal (GAKL).