Risk Summary
06 Apr 2020
World airspace risk map at SafeAirspace.net as at Apr 6th, 2020
About Safe Airspace
The Conflict Zone & Risk Database provides a single, independent, and eternally free resource for all airspace risk warnings, so that airlines and aircraft operators can easily see the current risk picture for unfamiliar airspace.
Safe Airspace is an initiative from OPSGROUP, an independent organization with 5000 members, made up of airlines, corporate flight departments, private operators, charter operators, military, and government.
Read more at SafeAirspace.net.
Sources of information
- Warnings issued by the country concerned. Operators should note that in general, the Civil Aviation Authorities of the countries whose airspace is determined to be unsafe are (very) unlikely to issue reliable guidance.
- Warnings issues by other states about that country. There are 4 main countries that provide important risk information: Germany, France, the UK, and the United States – and these have become the de-facto initiators of airspace warnings. These are issued for their own carriers and are not binding on operators from other states, but they are useful to determine risk levels.
- Other countries who issue risk information, carried here: South Africa, Malta, Ireland
- Verified reports from OPSGROUP members.
- Essential Risk information from other sources.
- Verified reports to report@safeairspace.net
LEVEL 1: Do not fly
Criteria: Any of these will trigger Level 1: A prohibition warning is issued by another state, with either a total ban for their carriers, or a ban that excludes only a small portion of airspace, OR an OPSGROUP quick assessment of risk shows a clear threat to operators, and that risk is at least moderate.
Iraq
Level 1There was an Iranian missile strike on US military bases in Iraq on Jan 8, quickly followed by the shooting down of Ukraine Int Airlines flight 752 in Tehran by the Iranian Armed Forces, having mistaken the aircraft radar return for an inbound missile to Tehran.
In the days following these events, many countries issued warnings to avoid the airspace of Iraq completely. Though some of these countries have since issued updated advice allowing overflights to resume at the higher flight levels, the US flight ban on Iraqi airspace was re-imposed on March 12, citing “heightened militia activities and increased tensions”.
Most airlines other than Middle Eastern carriers have now stopped overflying Iraq entirely. Traffic that normally operates through the Baghdad FIR now needs another route. The predominant choice for east-west flights into the Dubai area is a southerly routing via Saudi Arabia and Egypt. There are warnings for both of these airspaces as well. Northerly reroutes for Europe-Asia flights are predominantly using a Turkey-Armenia-Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan routing.
The aviation security picture in the Middle East, already fragile and unstable, is now unpredictable. For many operators, you may be starting to use routes that are unfamiliar and not before flown. Take the time to ensure your crews have the full package of charts, are aware of the risks in each FIR, are aware of the potential for GPS outages en-route (especially in the Turkish FIR), and have considered drift down over mountainous areas on the northerly routes.
In the days following these events, many countries issued warnings to avoid the airspace of Iraq completely. Though some of these countries have since issued updated advice allowing overflights to resume at the higher flight levels, the US flight ban on Iraqi airspace was re-imposed on March 12, citing “heightened militia activities and increased tensions”.
Most airlines other than Middle Eastern carriers have now stopped overflying Iraq entirely. Traffic that normally operates through the Baghdad FIR now needs another route. The predominant choice for east-west flights into the Dubai area is a southerly routing via Saudi Arabia and Egypt. There are warnings for both of these airspaces as well. Northerly reroutes for Europe-Asia flights are predominantly using a Turkey-Armenia-Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan routing.
The aviation security picture in the Middle East, already fragile and unstable, is now unpredictable. For many operators, you may be starting to use routes that are unfamiliar and not before flown. Take the time to ensure your crews have the full package of charts, are aware of the risks in each FIR, are aware of the potential for GPS outages en-route (especially in the Turkish FIR), and have considered drift down over mountainous areas on the northerly routes.
47% avoiding
13Mar20 Canada Notam H0655/20 Operators should not enter the airspace of Iraq
12Mar20 USA Notam KICZ A0036/20 US operators are prohibited from overflying Iraq
05Feb20 Germany Notam B0083/20 Potential risk across the entire ORBB/Baghdad FIR below FL260.
20Jan20 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) The UK published Notam V0006/20 on 20th Jan 2020, with advice for Iraq airspace: UK operators should not overfly the Baghdad FIR, except on airways UL602 to ALPET, UM860 and UM688, when operating above 25,000ft AGL. (The previous Notam issued by the UK on 9th Jan 2020, advising UK operators that they must not enter the Baghdad FIR, is now cancelled).
14Jan20 Ukraine Notam A0068/20 Ukranian operators are prohibited from overflying Iraq
08Jan20 Iraq Notam A0018/20 Iraq issues warning to operators that Iran fired missiles into the ORBB/Baghdad FIR, altitude and trajectory unknown.
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Overflights should only be on airways UM860 and UM688, and UL602 between TASMI and ALPET. Fly at or above FL320.
29Jul18 South Africa Notam A2919/18 Overflights should be above FL300
Syria
Level 1Since March 2011, Syria has been embroiled in an armed conflict, with a number of countries in the region and beyond involved militarily or otherwise. Syria is ranked last on the Global Peace Index, making it the most violent country in the world due to the war.
September 2018 - Russian military aircraft shot down on the border between Damascus and Nicosia FIR.
Israel carries out occasional airstrikes on Syrian territory. Russia has accused the Israeli military of putting commercial flights at risk, by timing their airstrikes on Syria too close to flights arriving at Beirut and Damascus airports. On Feb 6, a commercial A320 flight en-route to Damascus was forced to divert to Russia-controlled Khmeimim air base to avoid coming under fire from Syrian air defences. Damascus ATC instructed the plane to divert, as the Syrian air defence systems engaged four Israeli F-16s, and the civilian aircraft could have found itself in the crossfire.
Almost no traffic overflies Syria, and it should be avoided.
September 2018 - Russian military aircraft shot down on the border between Damascus and Nicosia FIR.
Israel carries out occasional airstrikes on Syrian territory. Russia has accused the Israeli military of putting commercial flights at risk, by timing their airstrikes on Syria too close to flights arriving at Beirut and Damascus airports. On Feb 6, a commercial A320 flight en-route to Damascus was forced to divert to Russia-controlled Khmeimim air base to avoid coming under fire from Syrian air defences. Damascus ATC instructed the plane to divert, as the Syrian air defence systems engaged four Israeli F-16s, and the civilian aircraft could have found itself in the crossfire.
Almost no traffic overflies Syria, and it should be avoided.
94% avoiding
23Mar20 Germany Notam B0384/20 Flights are prohibited in Syrian airspace
09Feb20 Canada Notam H0330/20 Canadian operators advised not to enter the airspace of Syria, and there is a potential risk to aircraft within 200nm of the Damascus FIR.
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Operators should avoid Syrian airspace.
10Dec18 USA Notam KICZ A0025/18 US operators are prohibited from entering Syrian airspace.
22Oct18 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Potential risk to aircraft within 200nm of the Damascus FIR.
14Apr18 USA Notam KICZ A0009/18 Exercise caution within 200nm of the Damascus FIR due to military activity. Possibility of GPS Interference, Communication jamming, and long-range surface to air missiles in the area.
12Jun15 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Potential risk to aircraft over Syria airspace at all flight levels.
Iran
Level 1The shooting down of Ukraine Int Airlines flight 752 has been confirmed by Iran to have been carried out by the Iranian Armed Forces, having mistaken the aircraft radar return for an inbound missile to Tehran.
As clarity of cause emerged, many countries have slowly issued warnings to avoid the airspace of Iran and Iraq. We now classify both these countries as Level 1 - Do Not Fly airspace. Tehran and Baghdad FIRs are off limits. Operating to airports in either Iraq or Iran is equally unadvisable.
Just hours prior to the shoot-down of the Ukraine Int Airlines flight in Tehran on Jan 8, the US FAA issued “Emergency Order” Notams banning all US operators from overflying the airspace of Iraq and Iran. This was in response to an Iranian missile strike on US military bases in Iraq, which had just occurred the same night.
Other countries have since issued warnings: the UK, Ukraine, Canada, Germany, and France.
Most airlines other than Middle Eastern carriers have now stopped overflying Iran entirely. The aviation security picture in the Middle East, already fragile and unstable, is now unpredictable. For many operators, you may be starting to use routes that are unfamiliar and not before flown. Take the time to ensure your crews have the full package of charts, are aware of the risks in each FIR, are aware of the potential for GPS outages enroute (especially in the Turkish FIR), and have considered drift down over mountainous areas on the northerly routes.
As clarity of cause emerged, many countries have slowly issued warnings to avoid the airspace of Iran and Iraq. We now classify both these countries as Level 1 - Do Not Fly airspace. Tehran and Baghdad FIRs are off limits. Operating to airports in either Iraq or Iran is equally unadvisable.
Just hours prior to the shoot-down of the Ukraine Int Airlines flight in Tehran on Jan 8, the US FAA issued “Emergency Order” Notams banning all US operators from overflying the airspace of Iraq and Iran. This was in response to an Iranian missile strike on US military bases in Iraq, which had just occurred the same night.
Other countries have since issued warnings: the UK, Ukraine, Canada, Germany, and France.
Most airlines other than Middle Eastern carriers have now stopped overflying Iran entirely. The aviation security picture in the Middle East, already fragile and unstable, is now unpredictable. For many operators, you may be starting to use routes that are unfamiliar and not before flown. Take the time to ensure your crews have the full package of charts, are aware of the risks in each FIR, are aware of the potential for GPS outages enroute (especially in the Turkish FIR), and have considered drift down over mountainous areas on the northerly routes.
39% avoiding
31Mar20 France Notam F0511/20 French operators should avoid Iranian airspace west of 54 Degrees East longitude. In the area east of this line, flights should stay at or above FL320.
17Feb20 USA Notam KICZ A0016/20 US operators should exercise caution in the overwater airspace in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Avoid the airways nearest to the OIIX/Tehran FIR whenever possible, to reduce the risk of miscalculation or misidentification by air defence systems.
07Feb20 USA US FAA Background Notice US operators are prohibited from overflying Iran
28Jan20 Germany Notam B0056/20 Exercise caution in the Tehran FIR
17Jan20 UK Notam V0005/20 UK operators should not overfly the Tehran FIR below 25,000ft AGL
14Jan20 Ukraine Notam A0068/20 Ukranian operators are prohibited from overflying Iran
11Jan20 Canada Notam H0047/20 Canadian operators advised not to enter the airspace of Iran
08Jan20 USA Notam KICZ A0002/20 US operators are prohibited from overflying Iran
22Jun19 Italy Notam LIXX A4578/2019 Unsafe situation in Persian Gulf
22Jun19 India DGCA Notice 22JUN19 Indian aircraft operators required to avoid 'affected' part of Iranian airspace.
21Jun19 UAE Safety Decision 2019-04 Risk to UAE Operators over Gulf, required to conduct risk assessment for overwater area of Tehran FIR.
Libya
Level 1On 23rd Oct 2019, the U.S. issued an emergency order prohibiting U.S. operators from flying in Libyan airspace. This follows months of civil war in Libya, with militia from the East mounting a campaign to seize control of Tripoli, including HLLM airport, and threatening to shoot down aircraft operating in western Libya.
In recent months there have been a number of airstrikes targeting HLLM/Tripoli Mitiga airport. There are videos on social media showing planes landing at the airport as shells are falling in the background. In Nov 2019, militia advancing on the capital, Tripoli, declared a no-fly-zone around the city, and there is now a very real chance that they will shoot-down civil aircraft attempting to fly to HLLM/Tripoli Mitiga airport.
Risk remains high across Libya at all flight levels, and avoidance of all airspace and airports is strongly recommended.
In recent months there have been a number of airstrikes targeting HLLM/Tripoli Mitiga airport. There are videos on social media showing planes landing at the airport as shells are falling in the background. In Nov 2019, militia advancing on the capital, Tripoli, declared a no-fly-zone around the city, and there is now a very real chance that they will shoot-down civil aircraft attempting to fly to HLLM/Tripoli Mitiga airport.
Risk remains high across Libya at all flight levels, and avoidance of all airspace and airports is strongly recommended.
89% avoiding
18Feb20 Canada Notam G0171/20 Canadian operators advised not to enter the airspace of Libya
07Jan20 Germany Notam B0012/20 Flights are prohibited in the north-west part of the country (west of 18 degrees East, and north of 26 degrees North) at all flight levels; overflights for the rest of the country should be at FL260 or above.
25Oct19 Malta Notam A1295/19 Flights are prohibited in the north-west part of the country (between 11-16 degrees East, and 30-34 degrees North), and any aircraft departing from Libyan airports will be denied landing in Malta.
24Oct19 USA Notam KICZ A0026/19 U.S. operators are prohibited from flying in Libyan airspace
24Oct19 USA US FAA Background Notice U.S. operators are prohibited from flying in Libyan airspace
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Operators should avoid Libyan airspace.
12Jun15 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Operators should avoid Libyan airspace.
Yemen
Level 1Yemen is another country with ongoing conflict. Overflying and operating to Yemen is off limits. There have been several ground to ground missile attacks from Yemen into Saudi Arabia. The oceanic portion of the OYSC/Sanaa FIR (Airways UT702, M999, N315, UL425, UM551 and R401) is excluded from most warnings, by nature of being offshore.
76% avoiding
19Feb20 Germany Notam B0135/20 German operators are prohibited from operating on airways over the Yemen landmass within the OYSC/Sanaa FIR.
11Dec19 USA SFAR 115 US operators are prohibited from overflying the OYSC/Sanaa FIR except on oceanic airways UT702 and M999.
11Dec19 USA Notam KICZ A0030/19 As per SFAR 115, US operators are prohibited from overflying the OYSC/Sanaa FIR except on oceanic airways UT702 and M999.
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Operators should avoid Yemeni airspace.
08Sep15 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Operators should avoid Yemen airspace, except airways N315, UL425 and R401.
LEVEL 2: Danger exists
Criteria: Any of these will trigger Level 2: A prohibition warning is issued by another state, for specific altitudes or areas (usually with a “Do not operate below FLxxx”), but not for the entire airspace, OR more than one caution warning from other states, OR an OPSGROUP quick assessment of risk shows a clear threat to operators, and that risk is at least low.
Sudan
Level 2Only one international warning exists, that of France, recommending overflight above FL200 in the far southern and western edges of the country (west of the 27°E and south of 13°N) near to the border with South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Chad. Sudan temporarily closed its airspace all day on 11 April 2019 following a military coup which ousted the country’s longtime President Omar al-Bashir from power. This came after months of on-and-off protests against his rule. The security situation in Khartoum has been steadily improving since then, and in Sept 2019, the US downgraded its travel advisory for Sudan from “Level 4: Do Not Travel” to “Level 3: Reconsider Travel”. HSSS/Khartoum airport was closed for five hours late on 14 Jan 2020 following gunfire on the streets of the capital, including in areas close to the airport. The clashes were between the army and former security agents who revolted over severance pay. The airport reopened the next day, with the government saying the violence was over and the situation was under control.
44% avoiding
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Maintain FL200 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).
Egypt
Level 2Since the Arab Spring, Egypt’s stability and security situation as a state has declined.
-July 2019: British Airways suspends Cairo operations for one week due to security concerns
-In February 2017 an an SA-7 anti-aircraft missile tube was found less than a mile from HECA/Cairo airport.
-In October 2015 a Russian A321 was brought down over the Sinai peninsula by a bomb loaded at HESH/Sharm El Sheikh. The group claimed the IED was placed aboard the aircraft prior to departing HESH, raising concerns of potential insider threats at the airport.
There remains a threat from terrorism in Egypt, particularly in the Sinai Peninsular - most countries advise against operating to airports in this region, as well as overflights below FL260.
-July 2019: British Airways suspends Cairo operations for one week due to security concerns
-In February 2017 an an SA-7 anti-aircraft missile tube was found less than a mile from HECA/Cairo airport.
-In October 2015 a Russian A321 was brought down over the Sinai peninsula by a bomb loaded at HESH/Sharm El Sheikh. The group claimed the IED was placed aboard the aircraft prior to departing HESH, raising concerns of potential insider threats at the airport.
There remains a threat from terrorism in Egypt, particularly in the Sinai Peninsular - most countries advise against operating to airports in this region, as well as overflights below FL260.
17% avoiding
30Mar20 USA Notam KICZ A0040/20 Avoid overflying the Sinai Peninsula below FL260; if planning to do so, provide 3 days notice to the FAA.
04Mar20 Ireland Notam B0152/20 Avoid overflying the Sinai Peninsula below FL260
30Mar19 USA US FAA Background Notice Avoid overflying the Sinai Peninsula below FL260
25Mar19 Egypt Notam A0266/18 Do not plan RNAV approaches at Cairo.
24Dec18 Germany Notam B1634/18 Entire Sinai Peninsula presents a risk below FL260, as do landings at HEAR/El Arish, HEGR/El Gora, HETB/Taba, HESC/St. Catherine, HESH/Sharm-el-Sheikh.
08Oct15 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Risk to aircraft overfly Egypt's Northern Sinai region at less than FL250.
Venezuela
Level 2Ongoing political and social crisis in Venezuela. On 1st May 2019, the US FAA issued a new Do Not Fly instruction to US operators, barring all operations into or over Venezuela, unless operating at or above FL260, and giving a window of 48 hours to leave the country. The order comes on a day of an information battle waged between Maduro and Guaidó, and although the coup status is uncertain, one thing is clear: taking your aircraft to Venezuela is not a good idea.
51% avoiding
01May19 USA Notam KICZ A0013/19 Flights are prohibited below FL260
North Korea
Level 2Following talks with the U.S. in early 2018, North Korea agreed with ICAO that it would provide adequate warning of all “activity hazardous to aviation\" within its airspace. However, in May 2019 North Korea resumed launching missiles into the Sea of Japan, without providing any warning by Notam. The U.S. continues to prohibit flights across all North Korean airspace, including the oceanic part of the ZKKP/Pyongyang FIR over the Sea of Japan. In December 2019, Germany issued a new warning Notam for North Korea, as they made threats to launch long rang missiles.
71% avoiding
19Mar19 Germany Notam B0271/20 There is a potential risk to overflights of North Korean airspace (ZKKP FIR) due to launching of test missiles without prior notice.
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Caution advised for all flights to North Korea, and across its airspace.
18Sep18 USA SFAR 79 Flights are prohibited in all North Korean airspace, including the oceanic part of the ZKKP/Pyongyang FIR over the Sea of Japan.
18Sep18 USA Notam KICZ A0018/18 This is just a pointer Notam, directing people to read the SFAR which contains complete information about the US restrictions on North Korean airspace.
18Sep18 USA US FAA Background Notice This gives more information about the North Korean test missile launches that have occurred since 2015 which led the US to publish its updated SFAR prohibiting flights in all North Korean airspace, including the oceanic part of the ZKKP/Pyongyang FIR over the Sea of Japan.
08Oct15 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) There is a risk to aircraft overflying ZKKP/Pyongyang FIR, and the Sea of Japan.
Saudi Arabia
Level 2Due to military activity related to the involvement in Yemen, as well as ground to ground missile strikes, it is suggested to avoid the southwestern region of the Jeddah FIR. However, airports in the north, such as OEJN/Jeddah and OERK/Riyadh, are still very much on the radar for the Houthis, who launched missile attacks against these airports on multiple occasions throughout 2018. There is definitely a risk to operations in Saudi airspace, even outside the SCATANA area.
8% avoiding
04Feb20 Germany Notam B0074/20 Potential risk to operators overflying or landing anywhere along the border with Yemen in the southwest part of the OEJD/Jeddah FIR.
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Exercise caution in Saudi airspace, and do no operate to OEAB/Abha, OEGN/Jazan, OENG/Nejran, OESH/Sharurah, OEWD/Wadi Al Dawasir and OEBH/Bisha airports located in the southwest of the FIR.
11Oct18 Saudi Arabia Notam W0438/18 When a Notam like this is published, SCATANA rules become active in the southern part of Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan
Level 2Couple of issues: Conflict with India in the Kashmir region in the northeastern corner of Pakistan, and concentration of terrorist group representation in the country. Military activity by Pakistan and India in the disputed Kashmir region poses a potential inadvertent risk to aviation at all altitudes, particularly in the OPLR/Lahore FIR. The consensus among foreign authorities is to cross the OPLR/Lahore and OPKR/Karachi FIRs at higher flight levels. Diversion/Landing in Pakistan is recommended against. Avoid operating to OPPS/Peshawar and OPQT/Quetta airports - both are near the border with Afghanistan. OPKC/Karachi Airport was attacked in 2014.
37% avoiding
27Jan20 Germany Notam B0058/20 Potential risk of attacks at all airports in Pakistan.
30Dec19 USA Notam KICZ A0034/19 Exercise caution flying into or over Pakistan, particularly at low altitudes, due to the risk posed by small-arms fire, attacks against airports, indirect weapons fire and anti-aircraft fire by extremist/militant elements operating in the country.
30Dec19 USA US FAA Background Notice Exercise caution flying into or over Pakistan.
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Overflights should be at FL240 or above.
08Oct15 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Risk to aircraft overflying OPKC/Karachi and OPLR/Lahore FIRs below FL250.
South Sudan
Level 2The South Sudanese civil war has been ongoing since 2013. The security situation in Juba has been relatively calm since the July 2016 crisis. Daily reports of fighting throughout the rest of the country. Worsening civil war. July 17, 2017: State of emergency declared for 4 states in the NW of the country. ‘Anti aviation weaponry’ risk to overflights. In addition, the South Sudanese army has declared intention to shoot down Aircraft without permits. Most Authority guidance recommends min FL260. We think FL300 is a better minimum for overflights.
53% avoiding
23Mar20 Germany Notam B0383/20 Overflights should be at FL260 or above.
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Overflights should be at FL240 or above, in the part of the HSSS/Sudan FIR above South Sudan.
08Aug18 USA Notam KICZ A0014/18 Exercise caution blow FL260 and give 3 days notice if overflying.
16Jun16 FSB Research Article Army of South Sudan will shoot down aircraft.
12Jun15 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Risk to aircraft overflying South Sudan airspace below FL250.
Kenya
Level 2Kenya is affected by the ongoing Somali Civil War. There is a high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping. The main threat comes from extremists in response to Kenya’s military intervention in Somalia. IED attack at HKJK/Nairobi in 2014.
12% avoiding
26Feb20 USA Notam A0022/20 Exercise caution below FL260 in Kenya's airspace east of 40 degrees East longitude (the border region with Somalia) due to extremist and militant activity.
26Feb19 USA US FAA Background Notice Exercise caution below FL260 in Kenya’s airspace east of 40 degrees East longitude (the border region with Somalia) due to extremist and militant activity.
12Aug16 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Risk to aircraft overflying Kenya at less than FL250.
Somalia
Level 2Despite the ongoing conflict in Somalia the risk level is determined to be Assessed, the threats to aviation only exist below specified levels. However, our recommendation is to avoid the airspace entirely. The situation on the ground is highly unstable and there is an inherent risk to civilians and aircraft. The central government has little control of the major cities and ports with ongoing attacks from extremist militants targeting civilians. The advice from our information sources is all similar; “do not operate below a minimum of FL240 in the airspace of Somalia”. (Note UR401 SIHIL-AXINA is excluded from this by one authority) “There is a high risk to overflying aircraft from anti aviation weaponry”.
52% avoiding
27Jan20 Germany Notam B0057/20 Do not operate to airports in Somalia, and do not overfly the airspace below FL260 except for UR401.
11Dec19 USA SFAR 107 US operators are prohibited operating below FL260 in the airspace of Somalia.
11Dec19 USA Notam KICZ A0028/19 US operators are prohibited operating below FL260 in the airspace of Somalia.
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Overflights should be at FL240 or above.
13Apr18 Somalia Notam A0035/18 Armed conflict and a lack of Aeronautical information present a safety and security risk to aircraft.
08Jan16 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Operators should avoid overflying Somalia airspace below FL250.
Ukraine
Level 2There are two risk issues in Ukraine.
First: arms fire. Including MH17, multiple aircraft (the others all military) have been shot down since the beginning of the Donbass region war in 2014. Multiple ceasefires have been declared and violated. This risk is contained within the Dnipropetrovsk FIR – UKDV.
The second issue affects the Simferopol FIR which is Disputed Airspace. (Ukraine:UKFV, Russia:URFV). In March 2014, Russia annexed Crimea. The ATC Center is in Simferopol, Crimea, and is now run by Russia. Russia claims the airspace. Ukraine refuses to recognise the change, and asks crews to talk to Ukrainian controllers in Dnipro/Odesa ACC instead of Simferopol ACC. As the FAA point out, the risk here stems from aircraft “receiving confusing and conflicting air traffic control instructions from both Ukrainian and Russian ATC” when operating over the region.
First: arms fire. Including MH17, multiple aircraft (the others all military) have been shot down since the beginning of the Donbass region war in 2014. Multiple ceasefires have been declared and violated. This risk is contained within the Dnipropetrovsk FIR – UKDV.
The second issue affects the Simferopol FIR which is Disputed Airspace. (Ukraine:UKFV, Russia:URFV). In March 2014, Russia annexed Crimea. The ATC Center is in Simferopol, Crimea, and is now run by Russia. Russia claims the airspace. Ukraine refuses to recognise the change, and asks crews to talk to Ukrainian controllers in Dnipro/Odesa ACC instead of Simferopol ACC. As the FAA point out, the risk here stems from aircraft “receiving confusing and conflicting air traffic control instructions from both Ukrainian and Russian ATC” when operating over the region.
25% avoiding
26Feb20 USA Notam A0029/20 This is just a pointer Notam, directing people to read the SFAR which contains complete information about the US restrictions on Ukraine airspace.
25Apr19 Ukraine Notam A0920/19 Ukraine asks aircraft within Dnipro, Odesa, and Simferopol FIRs to only speak to Ukrainian ATC - callsigns Dnipro Radar and Odesa Radar. (Comment: for Simferopol, Russia says only talk to Russian ATC - hence the problem)
26Feb19 Russia Notam A0937/19 Russia declares iteself as the valid source of information for Simferopol FIR.
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Overflights of the UKFV and UKDV FIRs in the east of the country should only be on four airways: M854, M856, M860 and L851.
19Oct18 USA SFAR 113 US operators are now allowed to operate on airways M856, M854, M860, and L851 over the Black Sea, and to three Ukrainian airports: UKHH/Kharkiv, UKDD/Dnipropetrovsk and UKDE/Zaporizhzhia.
13Oct17 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Operators should not enter UKDV/Dnipro or UKFV/Simferopol FIRs with the exception of airways L851, M856, M860, and M854.
20Feb15 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Possible conflicting ATC instructions due to disputed airspace in the Simferopol FIR
Afghanistan
Level 2There is an ongoing war in Afghanistan, which since NATO’s withdrawal in December 2014, has been fought between the state and several factions. Diversion/Landing to Afghanistan – don’t. Nowhere is safe. Overflight advice averages out at a minimum FL250, though as with other mountainous countries we think FL320 is a better starting point. There are comms issues in the Kabul FIR – long periods without ATC contact is possible. Monitor TCAS and Air-to-Air channels.
54% avoiding
28Mar20 USA Notam KICZ A0038/20 Stick to airways, and maintain FL330 or higher. If you have to land at airports in the country, minimise ground time; aircraft on the ground have been damaged or destroyed by indirect rocket or mortar fire from militant attacks.
26Mar20 Germany Notam B0437/20 Overflights should be at FL330 or above.
24Jan19 France AIC 03/19 Overflights must be at FL240 or above.
08Oct15 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Risk to aircraft overflying OAKB/Kabul FIR at less than FL250.
Mali
Level 2The Northern Mali conflict continues, and there has been no improvements in stability. It remains the deadliest place to serve in the UN. US, Germany, and the UK all have warnings in place, advising to operate FL250/260 or higher, and avoiding GATB, GAGO, and GAKL airports.
Senegal and Niger control the airspace over Mali, and they have long-standing Notams (published under the GOOO/Dakar and DRRR/Niamey FIRs) warning that you can only fly between FL320-400 through the entire airspace in Mali north of the GABS/Bamako TMA (click here to see a rough map of the area) due to military ops across the region.
Senegal and Niger control the airspace over Mali, and they have long-standing Notams (published under the GOOO/Dakar and DRRR/Niamey FIRs) warning that you can only fly between FL320-400 through the entire airspace in Mali north of the GABS/Bamako TMA (click here to see a rough map of the area) due to military ops across the region.
31% avoiding
25Mar20 Germany Notam B0385/20 Avoid GATB, GAGO, GAMB and GAKL airports. Overflights should be at FL260 or above.
26Feb20 USA Notam A0019/20 Exercise caution if operating below FL260 in Mali's airspace. If you plan to, notify the FAA 3 days in advance.
26Feb20 USA US FAA Background Notice Exercise caution if operating below FL260 in Mali's airspace.
09Jun17 UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) Risk to aircraft overflying Mali airspace below FL250.
LEVEL 3 : Caution
Criteria: A single caution warning from another state, OR Current political, public order, or traveller safety situation may present risk, OR Airspace is adjacent to a risk zone
Japan
Level 3In August 2017 it became apparent that North Korea missiles were landing with regularity in the Sea of Japan. In 2018, after North Korea's change in stance on Missile testing, coupled with a warmer relationship with the US, previously issued warnings started to be removed. The lsat such warning, US Notam A0010/18 expired on May 27, 2019, and has not been renewed.
27May18 USA Notam KICZ A0010/18 There is risk to aircraft flying in the RJJJ/Fukuoka FIR, and over The Sea of Japan.
United Arab Emirates
Level 3Missiles fired by Yemeni rebels (Houthis) have reached Saudi Arabia multiple times, and they have threatened to fire at the UAE. On April 23, 2019, a spokesman for the Houthis said -Our missiles are capable of reaching Riyadh and beyond Riyadh, to Dubai and Abu Dhabi-
12Oct18 United Arab Emirates Notam 0356/18 Risk from Houthi Weapons targeting UAE territory
Chad
Level 3N'Djamena in the past was a popular fuel stop in central Africa, but multiple travel warnings now advise against travel here. No official state Notams have been issued, but danger remains high. A state of emergency remains in place for the Lake Chad region. High threat for terrorism. Avoid landings.
Cyprus
Level 3Reports of GPS Interference began in March 2018 in the Nicosia FIR. In April 2018, the Nicosia FIR was being used as military staging for possible strikes in Syria, prompting EASA to issue a warning, and lead to avoidance of the FIR by many airlines.
5% avoiding
30Mar18 Cyprus Notam 0356/18 Expect GPS interference in Cyprus Airspace.
22Mar18 Cyprus Notam N0068/18 GPS Outages have been reported in the Ercan Advisory Airspace.
Philippines
Level 3There has been a high volume of crew reports of GPS Interference in the Philippines, leading to GPS/ADS-B dropouts, especially in the vicinity of RPLL/Manila.
08May17 Philippines Notam B1584/17 Reports of GPS interference affecting RPLL/Manila Airport.
Turkey
Level 3Throughout 2016, there have been reports of GPS signal interference in Turkish airspace. This trend is continuing in 2017. Operations to LTAJ/Gaziantep should be carefully reviewed - proximate to Syrian border.
3% avoiding
01Oct18 Turkey Notam A5434/18 Expect GPS interference in Turkish Airspace.
Central African Republic
Level 3The situation on the ground in the Central African Republic is volatile and as of June 2017 has been deteriorating rapidly. There have been numerous attacks on Civilians and peacekeeping troops. Bangui FEFF is operating under UN control, it is subject to regular power outages and is also acting as a refugee camp. Avoid landings.