Mali
Risk Level: Two - Danger exists
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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:
Sep 2023: Germany is considering a flight ban in Mali, as the security situation is getting worse: fighting by militants is escalating, shelling near GATB airport, gunfire and explosions near GAGO airport.
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 frequently publish Notams (under the GOOO/Dakar and DRRR/Niamey FIRs) saying that if you want to fly anywhere in Mali north of GABS/Bamako airport, you can only do so at FL320 or above.
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:
Sep 2023: Germany is considering a flight ban in Mali, as the security situation is getting worse: fighting by militants is escalating, shelling near GATB airport, gunfire and explosions near GAGO airport.
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 frequently publish Notams (under the GOOO/Dakar and DRRR/Niamey FIRs) saying that if you want to fly anywhere in Mali north of GABS/Bamako airport, you can only do so at FL320 or above.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Notam EDWW B1077/23 | 21 Sep 2023 | 21 Dec 2023 | |
| Italy | AIC 33/23 | 10 Jul 2023 | 05 Oct 2024 | |
| USA | Notam KICZ A0001/23 | 23 Feb 2023 | 23 Feb 2024 | |
| USA | US FAA Background Notice | 23 Feb 2023 | Ongoing | |
| France | AIC 13/23 | 09 Apr 2020 | Ongoing | |
| Germany | AIC 15/23 | 16 Aug 2017 | Ongoing | |
| UK | UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) | 09 Jun 2017 | Ongoing |
Source: Germany
Reference: Notam EDWW B1077/23
Issued: 21-Sep-23, valid until: 21 Dec 2023
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.
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN MALI 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. FURTHER INFORMATION: WEBSITE OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY FOR DIGITAL AND TRANSPORT OF GERMANY (WWW.BMVI.DE/KRISENMANAGEMENT). 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 ALL AIRPORTS. 21 SEP 11:46 2023 UNTIL 20 DEC 23:59 2023. CREATED: 21 SEP 11:47 2023
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: 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 13/23
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: Germany
Reference: AIC 15/23
Issued: 16-Aug-17, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: German operators should not overfly the airspace of Mali below FL260.
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).
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.