Yemen Airspace
Current Status
The Sana'a FIR (OYSC) has been effectively closed to civil aviation since 2015. The ongoing conflict and regional armed-group operations have made the airspace among the most dangerous in the world. There is no functioning civil ATC service.
non-state regional actor forces have demonstrated the ability to launch long-range drones and regional military systems that transit the OYSC FIR at altitudes relevant to commercial aviation. These weapons have reached targets across the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, with flight paths crossing major international air routes.
The Red Sea shipping disruption that began in late 2023 has also impacted aviation, as military response operations in and around Yemeni airspace create additional hazard zones. Airlines routing between Europe and East Africa/Indian Ocean must now plan significant diversions around the OYSC FIR.
Key Risks
Frequent long-range drone and regional missile activity from Yemeni territory transit the FIR at commercial flight levels.
No functioning air traffic control service. No flight separation, no coordination, no emergency assistance available.
Coalition and US military intercept operations against regional armed-group activity create dynamic, unannounced hazard zones.
regional armed-group operations against shipping extend the threat zone beyond the FIR into adjacent maritime airspace corridors.
Recent Events
Continued drone and missile launches from Yemen toward Red Sea shipping and regional targets.
Gulf FIR cascade closure triggered in part by regional aerial weapon launches transiting multiple FIRs.
reported military activity affecting non-state regional actor positions created additional temporary hazard areas in the OYSC FIR.
non-state regional actor drone intercepted at altitude above FL300 near commercial air route, demonstrating threat to overflying traffic.
EASA & FAA Guidance
EASA CZIB covers the Sana'a FIR (OYSC) at all flight levels, advising all EU operators to avoid the airspace entirely. The FAA prohibits US civil aviation operations in Yemeni airspace. Both agencies cite active hostilities, lack of ATC, and operational events launch risk as grounds for the prohibition.
Related
This page provides publicly available information about airspace conditions. Always consult official sources (ICAO, EASA, FAA) for operational decisions.