Moldova
Risk Level: Two - Danger exists
[ about risk levels ]
There is an ongoing active conflict in Ukraine between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Ukraine closed its entire airspace to all civil traffic on Feb 24. Russia and Belarus have closed large sections of their own airspace near to their FIR boundaries with Ukraine. Moldova initially closed all their airspace too, but have since opened a section on their western border with the LRBB/Bucharesti FIR for flights to LUKK/Chisinau airport.
The primary risk is an unintended targeting of civil aircraft by military near the Moldova-Ukraine border, including misidentification (as with MAS17, UIA752), or confusion. The secondary risk is from spillover from the conflict such as Russian drones and missiles.
Major events:
Feb 2023: The LUUU/Chisinau FIR closed temporarily following reports of Russian drones infringing its airspace. Earlier in the month, at least two missiles also transited Moldova during a major military operation in Ukraine. Spill over risks from the conflict are being frequently reported.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Ukraine and Russia Update March 2022
The primary risk is an unintended targeting of civil aircraft by military near the Moldova-Ukraine border, including misidentification (as with MAS17, UIA752), or confusion. The secondary risk is from spillover from the conflict such as Russian drones and missiles.
Major events:
Feb 2023: The LUUU/Chisinau FIR closed temporarily following reports of Russian drones infringing its airspace. Earlier in the month, at least two missiles also transited Moldova during a major military operation in Ukraine. Spill over risks from the conflict are being frequently reported.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Ukraine and Russia Update March 2022
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moldova | AIP SUP 10/23 | 03 Aug 2023 | 01 Oct 2023 | |
| France | AIC 17/23 | 17 Nov 2022 | Ongoing | |
| USA | FAA Information Note Russia/Ukraine | 14 Nov 2022 | Ongoing | |
| Canada | AIC 23/23 | 24 Feb 2022 | Ongoing |
Source: Moldova
Reference: AIP SUP 10/23
Issued: 03-Aug-23, valid until: 01 Oct 2023
Plain English: Moldovan airspace (the LUUU/Chisinau FIR) was closed on Feb 24 due to the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Ukraine. But there is a section of airspace along the western border with the LRBB/Bucharesti FIR that is open for flights to LUKK/Chisinau airport.
Download AIP SUP 10/23 here.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 17/23
Issued: 17-Nov-22, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators should not enter the airspace of Moldova due to the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine.
From 17/11/2022 and until further notice, following the military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian federation which poses a high risk to civilian flights operating at all altitudes and at all flight levels, pilots in command of aircraft performing air services mentioned in paragraph 1.1 are requested :
- not to enter FIR LVIV (UKLV), FIR KYIV (UKBV), FIR DNIPROPETROVSK (UKDV), FIR SIMFEROPOL (UKFV), FIR ODESA (UKOV), FIR MINSK (UMMV) and FIR CHISINAU (LUUU)
- not to enter within 200 NM of the Ukrainian border into the FIR MOSCOW (UUWV) and ROSTOV-NA-DONU (URRV)
- exercise extreme caution when conducting flights beyond 200 NM of the Ukrainian borders in FIR MOSCOW (UUWV) and FIR ROSTOV-NA-DONU (URRV).
- not to enter FIR LVIV (UKLV), FIR KYIV (UKBV), FIR DNIPROPETROVSK (UKDV), FIR SIMFEROPOL (UKFV), FIR ODESA (UKOV), FIR MINSK (UMMV) and FIR CHISINAU (LUUU)
- not to enter within 200 NM of the Ukrainian border into the FIR MOSCOW (UUWV) and ROSTOV-NA-DONU (URRV)
- exercise extreme caution when conducting flights beyond 200 NM of the Ukrainian borders in FIR MOSCOW (UUWV) and FIR ROSTOV-NA-DONU (URRV).
Source: USA
Reference: FAA Information Note Russia/Ukraine
Issued: 14-Nov-22, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: The Russia/Ukraine conflict spillover risk is increasing. Russia periodically launches missiles targeting Ukraine which transit Moldovan airspace. Reports of comms and GPS jamming outside the conflict zone, particularly over the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. Expanded drone activity, especially around Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
Title: FAA Information Note - Russia/Ukraine – Conflict Spillover Risks to U.S. Civil Aviation Increasing
Click the link for full text.
Click the link for full text.
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 23/23
Issued: 24-Feb-22, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Canadian operators are prohibited from the LUUU/Chisinau FIR.
Level 3 (prohibition)
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN MOLDOVA. Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are prohibited from entering FIR Chisinau (LUUU). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN MOLDOVA. Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are prohibited from entering FIR Chisinau (LUUU). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.