This action amends and extends SFAR No. 107, title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 91.1613, which prohibits certain flight operations in the territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260 by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier. Specifically, the FAA is amending the flight prohibition to permit overwater operations in the territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260 necessary for climb-outs from, or descents into, Djibouti Ambouli International Airport (HDAM) in the Addis Ababa FIR (HAAA). These operations are subject to the approval of the appropriate authorities of Djibouti and must be conducted in accordance with the conditions established by those authorities and consistent with air traffic control instructions. Operators climbing out of or descending into Djibouti Ambouli International Airport (HDAM) must remain overwater while operating in the territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260 and must be either on a published instrument procedure or under the direction of air traffic control. Because weapons systems to which extremist and/or militant groups active in Somalia likely have access have minimal ranges from the coastline, and aircraft using these approaches and departures would only briefly be present in the territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260, the FAA determined such operations present a low risk.

However, the FAA has determined increasing safety-of-flight risks exist for U.S. civil aviation operations in the rest of the territory and airspace of Somalia at altitudes below FL260 from extremist and militant activity, as described in the Discussion of the Final Rule section of this preamble. For this reason, the FAA extends the expiration date of this rule from January 7, 2023, until January 7, 2027. Consistent with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs, this action also republishes the approval process and exemption information for this flight prohibition SFAR.

Level 2 (Recommendation)
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SOMALIA. Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are recommended to maintain a flight level equal to or above FL260, within FIR Mogadishu (HCSM). Potential risk from anti- aviation weaponry and military operations.

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 FL260 in the airspace of Somalia (HCSM FIR (MOGADISHU)).

HCMM/ADEN A0035/18

13APR 0913Z- OPRATORS SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CTN AND FULLY ASSES THE POTENTIAL RISKS TO FLIGHT SAFETY AND SECURITY WHEN PLANING OR COMDUCTING OPS INTO MUGADISHU AIRPORT DUE TO LACK OF IMFORMATION OR ARMED CONFLICTS STOP.

13 APR 09:30 2018 UNTIL 13 JUL 09:30 2018.

Level 2 warning (medium). Civil German air operators are recommended not to enter FIR MOGADISHU (HCSM) below FL260. Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry, military operations and armed conflicts. Excluded from this recommendation is airway UR401 between waypoints SUHIL and AXINA.

Hazardous Situation in Somalia

Potential risk to aviation overflying Somalia (Mogadishu FIR - HCSM) at less than 25,000 ft above ground level (agl) from dedicated antiaircraft weaponry.

Operators are advised to avoid operating at less than 25,000 ft agl in Somalia (Mogadishu FIR - HCSM).