Sudan
Risk Level: One - Do Not Fly
[ about risk levels ]
Following a military coup in April 2023, Sudan remains closed to all civilian flights. In South Sudan, air navigation services remain suspended above FL245. There is ongoing fighting in Sudan between government and militant forces, despite a ceasefire agreed at the end of April. HSSK/Khartoum airport is closed, but no Notams are being issued. If routing via nearby airspace, be aware of other active warnings in close proximity.
Several countries are now advising operators not to enter the airspace of Sudan, due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity. Germany has prohibited operators from the HSSS/Khartoum FIR.
The primary risk now relates to security on the ground for any unplanned diversions to airports in Sudan. Throughout the conflict, there have been reports of passenger jets being targeted by gunfire at HSSK/Khartoum Airport.
The secondary risk relates to Sudan’s proximity to South Sudan - which has poor levels of ATC provision for overflights below FL245.
Major events:
Apr 2023: Military coup on Apr 15. Sudan’s airspace closed, South Sudan’s airspace closed above FL245.
Oct 2021: Military coup on Oct 25. HSSK/Khartoum airport closed for two days, with all flights suspended.
Jan 2020: HSSK/Khartoum airport was closed for five hours late on Jan 14 following clashes were between the army and former security agents.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Sudan Airspace Update, Apr 2023
Several countries are now advising operators not to enter the airspace of Sudan, due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity. Germany has prohibited operators from the HSSS/Khartoum FIR.
The primary risk now relates to security on the ground for any unplanned diversions to airports in Sudan. Throughout the conflict, there have been reports of passenger jets being targeted by gunfire at HSSK/Khartoum Airport.
The secondary risk relates to Sudan’s proximity to South Sudan - which has poor levels of ATC provision for overflights below FL245.
Major events:
Apr 2023: Military coup on Apr 15. Sudan’s airspace closed, South Sudan’s airspace closed above FL245.
Oct 2021: Military coup on Oct 25. HSSK/Khartoum airport closed for two days, with all flights suspended.
Jan 2020: HSSK/Khartoum airport was closed for five hours late on Jan 14 following clashes were between the army and former security agents.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Sudan Airspace Update, Apr 2023
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Notam EDWW B1244/23 | 20 Oct 2023 | 02 Nov 2023 | |
| France | Notam LFFF F1371/23 | 28 Aug 2023 | 28 Nov 2023 | |
| UK | Notam EGTT V0014/23 | 13 Jul 2023 | Ongoing | |
| Italy | AIC 33/23 | 10 Jul 2023 | 05 Oct 2024 | |
| Canada | AIC 23/23 | 18 May 2023 | Ongoing | |
| Germany | AIC 15/23 | 21 Apr 2023 | Ongoing | |
| France | AIC 13/23 | 09 Apr 2020 | Ongoing |
Source: Germany
Reference: Notam EDWW B1244/23
Issued: 20-Oct-23, valid until: 02 Nov 2023
Plain English: German operators are prohibited from entering the HSSS/Khartoum FIR due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity.
SECURITY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SUDAN FIR KHARTOUM (HSSS), UIR KHARTOUM (HSSS) CIVIL GERMAN AIR OPERATORS ARE PROHIBITED TO ENTER FIR KHARTOUM AND UIR KHARTOUM. POTENTIAL RISK FROM ANTI-AVIATION WEAPONRY, MILITARY OPERATIONS AND ARMED CONFLICTS. FURTHER INFORMATION: WEBSITE OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY FOR DIGITAL AND TRANSPORT OF GERMANY (WWW.BMVI.DE/KRISENMANAGEMENT). 20 OCT 08:40 2023 UNTIL 02 NOV 23:59 2023. CREATED: 20 OCT 08:41 2023
Source: France
Reference: Notam LFFF F1371/23
Issued: 28-Aug-23, valid until: 28 Nov 2023
Plain English: French operators should not enter the airspace of Sudan, nor file Sudanese airports as alternates. (This supersedes the restrictions in the AIC).
FRENCH AIR CARRIERS AND CAPTAINS OF AIRCRAFT IN CHARGE OF AIR SERVICES OPERATED BY CARRIERS HOLDING AN OPERATING LICENSE ISSUED BY FRANCE, 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 FRANCE, ARE REQUESTED NOT TO PENETRATE IN THE PART OF THE KHARTOUM FIR (HSSS) LOCATED OVER SUDAN TERRITORY AND NOT TO IDENTIFY SUDAN AIRPORTS AS ALTERNATE WHEN PLANNING FLIGHT OPERATIONS. THIS NOTAM SUPERSEDES THE RESTRICTIONS CONCERNING SUDAN AIRSPACE (FIR KARTHOUM HSSS) ISSUED IN AIC 24/22. 28 AUG 13:22 2023 UNTIL 27 NOV 23:59 2023. CREATED: 28 AUG 13:22 2023
Source: UK
Reference: Notam EGTT V0014/23
Issued: 13-Jul-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: UK operators should not enter the airspace of Sudan due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity.
AIRSPACE SECURITY WARNING ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT- ADD NEW WARNING - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SUDAN. UK CIVIL AIR OPERATORS ARE RECOMMENDED NOT TO ENTER FIR KHARTOUM (HSSS) WITHIN THE TERRITORY AND AIRSPACE OF SUDAN. POTENTIAL RISK FROM ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY AND HEIGHTENED MILITARY ACTIVITY. CONTACT UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT +44 (0)207-082 6639 OR +44 (0)207-944-3111 OUT OF HOURS. FOR FURTHER DETAILS. 2023-04-0410/AS6. UK AIP ENR 1.1 REFERS. SFC - UNL, 13 JUL 08:28 2023 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 13 JUL 08:31 2023
Source: Italy
Reference: AIC 33/23
Issued: 10-Jul-23, valid until: 05 Oct 2024
Plain English: Italian operators should avoid the HSSS/Khartoum FIR due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity.
National air carriers and captains of acft in charge of air service managed by carriers holders of operating italian issued licence, whether they are contractual carriers and/or de facto carriers, or performing air service with commercial charter agreement or with code sharing and to all flights performed with italian civilian registration, are requested to avoid Karthoum FIR (HSSS) below FL260 due to potential risk from anti aviation weaponry.
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 23/23
Issued: 18-May-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Canadian operators should avoid the HSSS/Khartoum FIR due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity.
Level 2 (Recommendation)
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SUDAN.
Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are recommended not to enter FIR Khartoum (HSSS). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SUDAN.
Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are recommended not to enter FIR Khartoum (HSSS). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
Source: Germany
Reference: AIC 15/23
Issued: 21-Apr-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: German operators are prohibited from entering the HSSS/Khartoum FIR.
Level 3 (Highest Risk - Do Not Enter). Civil German air operators are prohibited to enter FIR KHARTOUM (HSSS) and UIR KHARTOUM (HSSS). Potential risk from anti- aviation weaponry, military operations and armed conflicts. Further information: Website of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport of Germany (WWW.BMVI.DE/KRISENMANAGEMENT).
Source: France
Reference: AIC 13/23
Issued: 09-Apr-20, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators should maintain FL260 or higher in the HSSS/Sudan FIR along its southern edge (where Sudan borders with South Sudan) and western edge (where Sudan borders with Central African Republic and Chad).
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 FL 260 in the part of the KHARTOUM FIR (HSSS) located west of the 27th meridian and south of the 13th parallel above Sudan’s territory