Yemen
Risk Level: One - Do Not Fly
[ about risk levels ]
Yemen remains an active conflict zone, and the vast majority of Yemeni airspace (OYSC/Sanaa FIR) should be avoided. Several countries prohibit aircraft from overflying any land portion of the FIR. US operators can still use offshore routes UT702 and M999, while other countries permit flights on overwater portions of Yemeni airspace. Saudi airspace to the north and Somali airspace to the South also have risks.
The primary risk is intentional targeting by terrorist groups with access to sophisticated anti-aircraft weaponry. Civil aircraft may also be at danger from on-going high intensity military operations including the use of explosive drones and missiles. Saudi-led airstrikes can occur at any time with little regard to civil traffic, including in the capital Sana’a.
Major events:
Jan 2024: US and UK carried out airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen including targets near the capital, Sanaa. This is in response to recent missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea.
Sep 2023: Houthi drone attacks near the Yemen-Saudi border.
Apr-Oct 2022: All parties in the Yemeni conflict agree a ceasefire.
2018-2022: Frequent Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa and other targets in Yemen in retaliation for Houthi drone attacks across the border.
2017: OYSN/Sanaa Airport badly damaged by coalition airstrikes.
Read: Saudi-Yemen Airspace Update, Oct 2020 (OPSGROUP article)
The primary risk is intentional targeting by terrorist groups with access to sophisticated anti-aircraft weaponry. Civil aircraft may also be at danger from on-going high intensity military operations including the use of explosive drones and missiles. Saudi-led airstrikes can occur at any time with little regard to civil traffic, including in the capital Sana’a.
Major events:
Jan 2024: US and UK carried out airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen including targets near the capital, Sanaa. This is in response to recent missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea.
Sep 2023: Houthi drone attacks near the Yemen-Saudi border.
Apr-Oct 2022: All parties in the Yemeni conflict agree a ceasefire.
2018-2022: Frequent Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa and other targets in Yemen in retaliation for Houthi drone attacks across the border.
2017: OYSN/Sanaa Airport badly damaged by coalition airstrikes.
Read: Saudi-Yemen Airspace Update, Oct 2020 (OPSGROUP article)
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | AIC 06/24 | 13 Feb 2024 | Ongoing | |
| Italy | AIC 33/23 | 10 Jul 2023 | 05 Oct 2024 | |
| USA | FAA Information Note Saudi Arabia/Yemen | 17 Mar 2022 | Ongoing | |
| France | AIC 15/24 | 04 Nov 2021 | Ongoing | |
| Canada | AIC 13/24 | 09 Feb 2021 | Ongoing | |
| USA | SFAR 115 | 11 Dec 2019 | 07 Jan 2025 | |
| UK | UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) | 08 Sep 2015 | Ongoing |
Source: Germany
Reference: AIC 06/24
Issued: 13-Feb-24, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: German operators are banned from the airspace over the Yemen landmass within the OYSC/Sanaa FIR up to (but not including) airway B400 over the ocean. For the rest of Yemen’s oceanic airspace, operators should exercise caution. (Check map here.)
Level 3 (Highest Risk - Do Not Enter). Civil German air operators are prohibited to enter FIR SANAA (OYSC). Potential risk from state of war.
Level 1 (lowest risk). Excluded from this prohibition are routes located in the maritime part of FIR SANAA (OYSC), east of route B400 included, where Civil German air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within FIR SANAA (OYSC).
Level 1 (lowest risk). Excluded from this prohibition are routes located in the maritime part of FIR SANAA (OYSC), east of route B400 included, where Civil German air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within FIR SANAA (OYSC).
Source: Italy
Reference: AIC 33/23
Issued: 10-Jul-23, valid until: 05 Oct 2024
Plain English: Italian operators should avoid the OYSC/Sanaa FIR below FL320.
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 FIR OYSC Sanaa below FL 320.
Source: USA
Reference: FAA Information Note Saudi Arabia/Yemen
Issued: 17-Mar-22, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: There is a potential risk to ops at Saudi airports and for overflights of the OEJD/Jeddah FIR due to Houthi drone and missile attacks from Yemen and the associated defensive operations.
Title: FAA Information Note - Saudi Arabia/Yemen: Houthi UAS Attack in Riyadh.
Click the link for full text.
Click the link for full text.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 15/24
Issued: 04-Nov-21, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators should avoid Yemeni airspace, except at or above FL320 in the oceanic airspace in the east of the OYSC/Sanaa FIR (airway B400 and east of).
From 04/11/2021 and until further notice, pilots in command of aircraft performing air services mentioned in paragraph 1.1 are requested not to penetrate into the airspace of Yemen (OYSC FIR (SANAA), except for routes located in the maritime part of FIR OYSC (SANAA), east of route B400 included, on which a flight level above or equal to FL320 is requested to be maintained at all times.
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 13/24
Issued: 09-Feb-21, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Canadian operators should not enter the OYSC/Sanaa FIR, including the oceanic part up to airway UT702, due to the potential risks from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations
Level 2 (Recommendation)
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN YEMEN. Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are recommended not to enter FIR Sana’a (OYSC), northwest of the line created by the waypoints PAKER-ORBAT-NORMA on jet route UT702. Potential risks from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN YEMEN. Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are recommended not to enter FIR Sana’a (OYSC), northwest of the line created by the waypoints PAKER-ORBAT-NORMA on jet route UT702. Potential risks from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
Source: USA
Reference: SFAR 115
Issued: 11-Dec-19, valid until: 07 Jan 2025
Plain English: US operators are prohibited from overflying the OYSC/Sanaa FIR north of a line KAPET-NODMA-IMPAG-TIMAD-PARIM-RIBOK (i.e. the landmass). The US FAA specifically mentions UT702 and M999 offshore routes as being ok to use.
U.S. civil aviation operations remain prohibited in the Sanaa FIR (OYSC) in that airspace west of a line drawn direct from KAPET (163322N 0530614E) to NODMA (152603N 0533359E), northwest of a line drawn direct from NODMA to IMPAG (140638N 0503924E) then from IMPAG to TIMAD (115500N 0463500E), north of a line drawn direct from TIMAD to PARIM (123200N 0432720E), and east of a line drawn direct from PARIM to RIBOK (154700N 0415230E). Use of jet route UN303 is not authorized… Use of jet routes UT702 and M999 are authorized.
Source: UK
Reference: UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5)
Issued: 08-Sep-15, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: UK operators should avoid the OYSC/Sanaa FIR except airways N315, UL425 and R401, due to potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry.
Hazardous Situation in Yemen
Potential risk from dedicated anti-aviation weaponry.
Operators are strongly advised not to enter the territory and airspace of Yemen (Sana’a FIR).
This advice does not apply to those aircraft operating on Airways N315, UL425 and R401.
Potential risk from dedicated anti-aviation weaponry.
Operators are strongly advised not to enter the territory and airspace of Yemen (Sana’a FIR).
This advice does not apply to those aircraft operating on Airways N315, UL425 and R401.