South Sudan
Risk Level: Two - Danger exists
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Following a military coup in neighbouring Sudan in April 2023, Sudan remains closed to all civilian flights, and in South Sudan, air navigation services remain suspended above FL245.
In South Sudan itself, following five years of civil war, a ceasefire has largely held since Sept 2018. Significant reduction in violence, but the political and security situation remains volatile. In the event of a serious deterioration, similar to those of July 2016 and Dec 2013, HJJJ/Juba airport may be closed at short notice.
The UK, France and Germany still advise against overflying South Sudan below FL250/260 due to the risk posed by anti-aircraft weaponry. The US published a similar warning but rescinded it in Aug 2019.
The primary risk now comes from no ATC above FL245 due to the military coup in Sudan, and poor levels of ATC provision for overflights below FL245 or for aircraft operating to HSSJ/Juba airport. In Jan 2021, ICAO published a letter warning of service disruptions and lack of qualified ATC personnel, the lack of contingencies in place, communication issues, the number of withdrawn navigation aids and above all, the lack of information being supplied to operators regarding these issues.
Major events:
April 2023: Military coup in Sudan. Sudan’s airspace now closed, South Sudan’s airspace now closed above FL245.
April 2019: Military coup in Sudan led to the temporary closure of South Sudan’s airspace.
June 2016: The South Sudanese army declared intention to shoot down aircraft without permits and/or not following proper procedures.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Sudan Airspace Update, Apr 2023
In South Sudan itself, following five years of civil war, a ceasefire has largely held since Sept 2018. Significant reduction in violence, but the political and security situation remains volatile. In the event of a serious deterioration, similar to those of July 2016 and Dec 2013, HJJJ/Juba airport may be closed at short notice.
The UK, France and Germany still advise against overflying South Sudan below FL250/260 due to the risk posed by anti-aircraft weaponry. The US published a similar warning but rescinded it in Aug 2019.
The primary risk now comes from no ATC above FL245 due to the military coup in Sudan, and poor levels of ATC provision for overflights below FL245 or for aircraft operating to HSSJ/Juba airport. In Jan 2021, ICAO published a letter warning of service disruptions and lack of qualified ATC personnel, the lack of contingencies in place, communication issues, the number of withdrawn navigation aids and above all, the lack of information being supplied to operators regarding these issues.
Major events:
April 2023: Military coup in Sudan. Sudan’s airspace now closed, South Sudan’s airspace now closed above FL245.
April 2019: Military coup in Sudan led to the temporary closure of South Sudan’s airspace.
June 2016: The South Sudanese army declared intention to shoot down aircraft without permits and/or not following proper procedures.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Sudan Airspace Update, Apr 2023
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Notam FACA A3715/22 | 01 Nov 2022 | 27 Jan 2023 | |
| South Sudan | Notam HSSJ A0021/21 | 02 Feb 2021 | Ongoing | |
| ICAO | Letter AN 13/35-21/5 | 20 Jan 2021 | Ongoing | |
| France | AIC 15/24 | 09 Apr 2020 | Ongoing | |
| OSPGROUP | Research Article | 16 Jun 2016 | Ongoing | |
| Germany | AIC 06/24 | 26 Aug 2015 | Ongoing | |
| UK | UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) | 12 Jun 2015 | Ongoing |
Source: South Africa
Reference: Notam FACA A3715/22
Issued: 01-Nov-22, valid until: 27 Jan 2023
Plain English: Risk for overflights of South Sudan below FL245 or for aircraft operating to HSSJ/Juba airport due to poor levels of ATC provision.
POSS EXISTENCE OF SERIOUS RISKS TO THE SAFETY OF INTL CIVIL FLT OPS WI THE KHARTOUM FIR OHD THE TERRITOTY OF SOUTH SUDAN, BLW FL 245,AND ARRIVING AT OR DEPARTING FROM JUBA INTL AP (HSSJ). INFO RECIEVED BY ICAO FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES INDICATES THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DISRUPTION TO ATS AND RELATED SUPPORTING SER WI THE ABV MENTIONED AIRSPACE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF ADEQUATE CONTINGENCY ARRANGEMENTS BEING IN PLACE. ATTN IS SPECIFICALLY DRAWN TO THE LACK OF SUITABLY QUALIFIED ATC PERSONEL,THE NON-PROMULGATION OF AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION CONCERNING OUT OF SER OR WITHDRAWN NAV EQPT AND THE NECESSARY MITIGATION ARRANGEMENTS, COOR IRREGULARITIES WITH ADJ ACC AND INADEQUATE AIR-GROUND COM. DUE TO CONCERNS, FOR THE OVERALL SAFETY OF INTL AIR TFC, OPR ARE STRONGLY URGED TO USE THIS AND ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFO TO ASSESS FLT SAFETY RISK IN THE AIRSPACE UNDER AUTHORITY OF SOUTH SUDAN.
Source: South Sudan
Reference: Notam HSSJ A0021/21
Issued: 02-Feb-21, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: ATC radio is not good enough to cover all airspace in the country. All aircraft must use TCAS.
A0021/21 - ALL ACFT OPERATING IN SOUTH SUDAN AIRSPACE MUST USE TCAS SINCE OUR RADIO CAN NOT COVER THE WHOLE OF SOUTH SUDAN AIRSPACE . THUS , ANY ACFT WHICH HAS NO TCAS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE.
02 FEB 11:12 2021 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 02 FEB 11:40 2021
02 FEB 11:12 2021 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 02 FEB 11:40 2021
Source: ICAO
Reference: Letter AN 13/35-21/5
Issued: 20-Jan-21, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: ICAO letter raising concerns about the risk to civil aircraft in the South Sudan region, below FL245, and into and out of HSSJ/Juba international airport. The letter raises concerns about ATC service disruptions and lack of qualified ATC personnel, the lack of contingencies in place, communication issues, the number of withdrawn navigation aids and above all, the lack of information being supplied to operators regarding these issues. They raise ‘grave concerns’ for the safety of international flights.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 15/24
Issued: 09-Apr-20, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators overflying the part of the HSSS/Sudan FIR above South Sudan should be at FL260 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 FL260 in the part of the KHARTOUM FIR (HSSS) above South Sudan.
Source: OSPGROUP
Reference: Research Article
Issued: 16-Jun-16, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Army of South Sudan will shoot down aircraft.
Source: Germany
Reference: AIC 06/24
Issued: 26-Aug-15, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Caution to German operators below FL260 in South Sudan due to the potential risk from anti-aviation and ground-to-ground weaponry.
Level 1 (lowest risk). Civil German air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions in FIR KHARTOUM (HSSS) within the territory and airspace of South Sudan below FL260. Potential risk from anti-aviation and ground to ground weaponry.
Source: UK
Reference: UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5)
Issued: 12-Jun-15, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: UK operators advised of potential risk below 25,000ft AGL in the airspace over South Sudan due to anti-aviation weaponry.
Hazardous Situation within or over the territory and airspace of South Sudan
Potential risk to aviation overflying this area at less than 25,000 ft above ground level (agl) from dedicated anti-aviation weaponry.
Operators are strongly advised to take this potential risk into account in their risk assessments and routing decisions.
Potential risk to aviation overflying this area at less than 25,000 ft above ground level (agl) from dedicated anti-aviation weaponry.
Operators are strongly advised to take this potential risk into account in their risk assessments and routing decisions.