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. The US advise caution in Mali's airspace at all levels due to ongoing fighting, militant activity, and foreign private military presence with advanced air defense systems.
The primary risk is from indirect mortar and rocket fire, including MANPADS, which could target aircraft at low altitudes and at airports.
Major events:
Sep 2024: Insurgents broke into the airport and set the presidential jet alight. Several other locations were targeted across the city, and the airport temporarily closed following the terrorist attacks - the first in years to hit Bamako.
Dec 2023: German operators are now prohibited from the northern part of Mali below FL260. Fighting by militants is escalating here. Commercial flights to GATB/Tombouctou were cancelled after shelling near the airport in Sep 2023. A military jet also crashed near GAGO/Gao on the same day - there were unconfirmed reports it was shot down.
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 at FL320 and above through the entire airspace in Mali north of the GABS/Bamako TMA, due to military ops across the region. More info can be found in this ASECNA AIP SUP.
The primary risk is from indirect mortar and rocket fire, including MANPADS, which could target aircraft at low altitudes and at airports.
Major events:
Sep 2024: Insurgents broke into the airport and set the presidential jet alight. Several other locations were targeted across the city, and the airport temporarily closed following the terrorist attacks - the first in years to hit Bamako.
Dec 2023: German operators are now prohibited from the northern part of Mali below FL260. Fighting by militants is escalating here. Commercial flights to GATB/Tombouctou were cancelled after shelling near the airport in Sep 2023. A military jet also crashed near GAGO/Gao on the same day - there were unconfirmed reports it was shot down.
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 at FL320 and above through the entire airspace in Mali north of the GABS/Bamako TMA, due to military ops across the region. More info can be found in this ASECNA AIP SUP.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Notam KICZ A0001/25 | 21 Feb 2025 | 26 Feb 2026 | |
| USA | US FAA Background Notice | 21 Feb 2024 | Ongoing | |
| Germany | AIC 06/24 | 21 Sep 2023 | Ongoing | |
| Italy | AIC 33/23 | 10 Jul 2023 | 05 Oct 2024 | |
| France | AIC 15/24 | 09 Apr 2020 | Ongoing | |
| UK | UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) | 09 Jun 2017 | Ongoing |
Source: USA
Reference: Notam KICZ A0001/25
Issued: 21-Feb-25, valid until: 26 Feb 2026
Plain English: Caution for US operators in Mali's airspace at all levels due to ongoing fighting, militant activity, and foreign private military presence with advanced air defense systems.
SECURITY...UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ADVISORY FOR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN MALI.
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 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. 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.
REFER TO THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION NOTICE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THREAT 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 FAAWATCH@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. SFC - UNL, 21 FEB 12:09 2025 UNTIL 21 FEB 23:59 2026. CREATED: 21 FEB 12:27 2025
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 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. 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.
REFER TO THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION NOTICE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THREAT 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 FAAWATCH@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. SFC - UNL, 21 FEB 12:09 2025 UNTIL 21 FEB 23:59 2026. CREATED: 21 FEB 12:27 2025
Source: USA
Reference: US FAA Background Notice
Issued: 21-Feb-24, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Caution for US operators in Mali's airspace at all levels due to ongoing fighting, militant activity, and foreign private military presence with advanced air defense systems.
Click link for full text.
Source: Germany
Reference: AIC 06/24
Issued: 21-Sep-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: German operators are prohibited from the northern part of Mali below FL260, and should not enter the southern part of the country below FL260. (Check map here.)
Level 3 (Highest Risk - Do Not Enter). Civil German air operators are prohibited to enter FIR NIAMEY (DRRR) within the territory and airspace of Mali north of 150000N below FL260. Potential risk from escalating military conflict.
Level 2 warning (medium). Civil German air operators are recommended not to enter the remaining part 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.
Level 2 warning (medium). Civil German air operators are recommended not to enter the remaining part 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: Italy
Reference: AIC 33/23
Issued: 10-Jul-23, valid until: 05 Oct 2024
Plain English: Italian operators should avoid the airspace of Mali.
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 Dakar (GOOO) and Niamey (DRRR) FIRs within territory and airspace of Mali.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 15/24
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: UK
Reference: UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5)
Issued: 09-Jun-17, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: UK operators advised of potential risk in the airspace of Mali (within the DRRR/Niamey and GOOO/Dakar FIRs) due to 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.
Contact UK Department for Transport +44 (0)207-082 6639 or +44 (0)207-944 3111 out of hours.
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.
Contact UK Department for Transport +44 (0)207-082 6639 or +44 (0)207-944 3111 out of hours.