Sudan Airspace
Current Status
The Khartoum FIR (HSSS) has been closed to civil aviation since the outbreak of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023. The civil war has destroyed aviation infrastructure and eliminated ATC capability across the entire FIR.
Khartoum International Airport sustained heavy damage in the early days of fighting and remains non-operational. Other Sudanese airports operate only intermittently for humanitarian flights under military coordination, not standard ATC procedures.
The closure has disrupted Africa's north-south air corridors. Airlines flying between Europe/Middle East and East Africa now route through Egyptian, Ethiopian, or Chadian airspace, adding significant time and fuel costs to these operations.
Key Risks
Ongoing fighting between SAF and RSF across multiple regions with no ceasefire in effect.
Khartoum ACC destroyed. No functioning civil radar, communication, or navigation services.
Both factions conduct air operations including drone deployments and cross-border aerial action without civil aviation coordination.
man-portable systems and other anti-aircraft systems are widely distributed among armed groups, posing a threat at lower altitudes.
Recent Events
Third anniversary of Sudanese airspace closure. No reopening timeline. Humanitarian flights operate under military coordination only.
EASA renewed CZIB for HSSS FIR, extending advisory through Q4 2026.
UN reported continued cross-border aerial action in Khartoum and Darfur regions, confirming ongoing military use of airspace.
Conflict began April 15, 2023. HSSS FIR NOTAM issued closing all Sudanese airspace to civil aviation.
EASA & FAA Guidance
EASA CZIB 2023-02 advises all EU operators to avoid the Khartoum FIR (HSSS) at all flight levels. The FAA has issued a NOTAM prohibiting US civil aviation in Sudanese airspace. Both agencies cite active hostilities and the complete absence of civil ATC as the basis for these restrictions.
Related
This page provides publicly available information about airspace conditions. Always consult official sources (ICAO, EASA, FAA) for operational decisions.