Sudan
Risk Level: One - Do Not Fly
[ about risk levels ]
Oct 2026: Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continues, with drone attacks again reaching Khartoum. HSSK/Khartoum has resumed domestic and international flights, but attacks near the airport on Oct 19 disrupted operations. Commercial overflights of Sudan remain subject to published contingency routes and prior permission under the ICAO contingency plan.
See OPSGROUP Briefing: Sudan Risk Update - 2025
The primary risk is the conflict itself, including drones, military aircraft and air-defence weapons. These threaten civil aircraft at all altitudes, and military activity also puts aircraft and airports on the ground at risk, making unplanned diversions into Sudan hazardous. EASA advises operators not to enter the HSSS/Khartoum FIR over Sudan at any altitude. The UK and Canada also advise against entry. Nearby South Sudan adds an ATC complication, as services are unavailable above FL245 in the HSSS/Khartoum FIR over its territory and contingency procedures apply.
Major events:
Oct 2026: Drone attacks near HSSK/Khartoum disrupted flights. Air defences intercepted drones, but one crashed in a nearby residential area.
May 2026: Sudan reopened international traffic at HSSK/Khartoum. Drone attacks earlier that month had briefly interrupted ops.
Nov 2025: The RSF said it shot down a Sudanese military Il-76 near Babanusa. The army said the aircraft crashed because of a technical fault.
May 2025: Drone strikes hit HSPN/Port Sudan and other infrastructure, briefly disrupting airport ops.
Oct 2024: A foreign-registered cargo aircraft was shot down over North Darfur.
Apr 2023: Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF began, leading to major airspace restrictions and airport closures.
See OPSGROUP Briefing: Sudan Risk Update - 2025
The primary risk is the conflict itself, including drones, military aircraft and air-defence weapons. These threaten civil aircraft at all altitudes, and military activity also puts aircraft and airports on the ground at risk, making unplanned diversions into Sudan hazardous. EASA advises operators not to enter the HSSS/Khartoum FIR over Sudan at any altitude. The UK and Canada also advise against entry. Nearby South Sudan adds an ATC complication, as services are unavailable above FL245 in the HSSS/Khartoum FIR over its territory and contingency procedures apply.
Major events:
Oct 2026: Drone attacks near HSSK/Khartoum disrupted flights. Air defences intercepted drones, but one crashed in a nearby residential area.
May 2026: Sudan reopened international traffic at HSSK/Khartoum. Drone attacks earlier that month had briefly interrupted ops.
Nov 2025: The RSF said it shot down a Sudanese military Il-76 near Babanusa. The army said the aircraft crashed because of a technical fault.
May 2025: Drone strikes hit HSPN/Port Sudan and other infrastructure, briefly disrupting airport ops.
Oct 2024: A foreign-registered cargo aircraft was shot down over North Darfur.
Apr 2023: Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF began, leading to major airspace restrictions and airport closures.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Notam LIRR E2227/26 | 01 Sep 2026 | 29 Nov 2026 | |
| France | AIC 002/26 | 14 Dec 2023 | Ongoing | |
| France | AIC 16/26 | 14 Dec 2023 | Ongoing | |
| Canada | AIC 17/26 | 18 May 2023 | Ongoing | |
| EASA | CZIB 2023-01 R8 | 26 Apr 2023 | 31 Jan 2027 | |
| Germany | AIC 03/26 | 21 Apr 2023 | Ongoing | |
| UK | UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) | 21 Apr 2023 | Ongoing |
Source: Italy
Reference: Notam LIRR E2227/26
Issued: 01-Sep-26, valid until: 29 Nov 2026
Plain English: Italian operators should avoid the HSSS/Khartoum FIR.
ITALIAN AIR CARRIERS AND CAPTAINS OF AIRCRAFT IN CHARGE OF AIR SERVICES OPERATED BY CARRIERS HOLDING AN OPERATING LICENSE ISSUED BY ITALY, 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 ITALY ARE RECOMMENDED TO AVOID KARTHOUM FIR (HSSS) AT ALL ALTITUDES ACCORDING TO EASA SAFETY DIRECTIVES.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 002/26
Issued: 14-Dec-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators should not enter the airspace of Sudan, nor file Sudanese airports as alternates.
From 14/12/2023 and until further notice, pilots in command of aircraft performing air services mentioned in paragraph 1.1 are requested not to penetrate in the part of the KHARTOUM FIR (HSSS) located over Sudan territory and not to identify Sudan aerodromes as alternate when planning flight operations.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 16/26
Issued: 14-Dec-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators should not enter the airspace of Sudan.
From 14/12/2023 and until further notice, pilots in command of aircraft performing air services mentioned in paragraph 1.1 are requested not to penetrate in the part of the KHARTOUM FIR (HSSS) located over Sudan territory and not to identify Sudan aerodromes as alternate when planning flight operations.
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 17/26
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: EASA
Reference: CZIB 2023-01 R8
Issued: 26-Apr-23, valid until: 31 Jan 2027
Plain English: Operators should not enter the airspace of Sudan at all levels.
This CZIB is issued based on information currently available to EU Member States and EU institutions.
Due to the current volatile situation in Sudan caused by on-going armed clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the opposition Rapid Support Forces (RSF), there is a continued possible threat to civil aviation.
The primary threat to civil aviation stems from military operations with the availability for use in the conflict of air assets, anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) systems, MANPADS and SAM systems. Aircraft on the ground are also at risk given military operations affecting airports. Based on the existing security situation, there is continuous risk to aviation due to potential misidentification, miscalculation or collateral damage by the parties engaged, when using anti-aircraft weaponry.
The presence and possible use of a wide range of weapon systems poses a HIGH risk for civil flights operating at all altitudes and flight levels.
In view of the existing risk posed by military activities with the use of air assets and air-defence capabilities of the parties engaged in the conflict, EASA recommends not to fly within the airspace over Sudan at all altitudes and flight levels.
Air operators should closely monitor airspace developments in the region and follow all available aeronautical publications concerning the region issued by or on behalf of Sudan and by the Aviation Authorities of the neighbouring States, including information shared through the European Information Sharing and Cooperation Platform on Conflict Zones, alongside available guidance or direction from their national authorities.
Due to the current volatile situation in Sudan caused by on-going armed clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the opposition Rapid Support Forces (RSF), there is a continued possible threat to civil aviation.
The primary threat to civil aviation stems from military operations with the availability for use in the conflict of air assets, anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) systems, MANPADS and SAM systems. Aircraft on the ground are also at risk given military operations affecting airports. Based on the existing security situation, there is continuous risk to aviation due to potential misidentification, miscalculation or collateral damage by the parties engaged, when using anti-aircraft weaponry.
The presence and possible use of a wide range of weapon systems poses a HIGH risk for civil flights operating at all altitudes and flight levels.
In view of the existing risk posed by military activities with the use of air assets and air-defence capabilities of the parties engaged in the conflict, EASA recommends not to fly within the airspace over Sudan at all altitudes and flight levels.
Air operators should closely monitor airspace developments in the region and follow all available aeronautical publications concerning the region issued by or on behalf of Sudan and by the Aviation Authorities of the neighbouring States, including information shared through the European Information Sharing and Cooperation Platform on Conflict Zones, alongside available guidance or direction from their national authorities.
Source: Germany
Reference: AIC 03/26
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).
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SUDAN
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 German Federal Ministry of Transport (WWW.BMV.DE/KRISENMANAGEMENT).
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN SUDAN
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 German Federal Ministry of Transport (WWW.BMV.DE/KRISENMANAGEMENT).
Source: UK
Reference: UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5)
Issued: 21-Apr-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.
Security - 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.
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.