Sudan

Risk Level: Two - Danger exists

[ 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

Current warnings list :

Source Reference Issued Valid to
France Notam LFFF F0887/23 31 May 2023 30 Aug 2023
UK Notam EGTT V0010/23 21 Apr 2023 20 Jul 2023
Germany Notam EDWW B0264/23 21 Apr 2023 22 Jul 2023
Italy Notam LIRR A2602/23 17 Apr 2023 16 Jul 2023
France AIC 24/22 09 Apr 2020 Ongoing
Source: France
Issued: 31-May-23, valid until: 30 Aug 2023
Plain English: French operators should not enter the airspace of Sudan, nor file Sudanese airports as alternates.
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. 31 MAY 07:39 2023 UNTIL 29 AUG 23:59 2023. CREATED: 31 MAY 07:39 2023
Source: UK
Issued: 21-Apr-23, valid until: 20 Jul 2023
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- 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. SFC - UNL, 21 APR 14:41 2023 UNTIL 19 JUL 23:59 2023 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 21 APR 14:41 2023
Source: Germany
Issued: 21-Apr-23, valid until: 22 Jul 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). 21 APR 14:44 2023 UNTIL 21 JUL 23:59 2023. CREATED: 21 APR 14:45 2023
Source: Italy
Issued: 17-Apr-23, valid until: 16 Jul 2023
Plain English: Italian operators should avoid the HSSS/Khartoum FIR due to risks from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity.
SUDAN AIRSPACE - 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. 17 APR 09:52 2023 UNTIL 15 JUL 23:59 2023. CREATED: 17 APR 09:52 2023
Source: France
Reference: AIC 24/22
Issued: 09-Apr-20, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: 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