FAR 91.1609 — Damascus FIR Prohibition
FAR 91.1609 (SFAR 114) prohibits U.S. operators and FAA airmen from flying in the Damascus FIR (OSTT). Learn exceptions, emergency deviations, and reporting.
In Plain English
FAR 91.1609 is Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 114, which prohibits flight operations in the Damascus Flight Information Region (FIR), ICAO identifier OSTT (the airspace over Syria). It exists because the security environment in Syria poses serious risks to civil aviation.
The rule applies to:
- All U.S. air carriers and U.S. commercial operators
- All persons exercising the privileges of an FAA airman certificate (unless flying U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier)
- All operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft (unless the operator is a foreign air carrier)
There are two ways to legally operate in the Damascus FIR:
- Under a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with a U.S. government department or agency, with FAA approval, or under an FAA-issued exemption.
- In an emergency requiring immediate action for the safety of flight — the pilot in command may deviate as needed.
If you deviate due to an emergency, non-Part 119/121/125/135 operators must file a written report with the responsible Flight Standards office within 10 business days. The SFAR is currently set to expire December 30, 2028.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1609§ 91.1609 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 114—Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Damascus Flight Information Region (FIR) (OSTT).
(a)This section applies to the following persons:
(1) All U.S. air carriers and U.S. commercial operators;
(2) All persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and
(3) All operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier.
(b)Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, no person described in paragraph (a) of this section may conduct flight operations in the Damascus Flight Information Region (FIR) (OSTT).
(c)This section does not prohibit persons described in paragraph (a) of this section from conducting flight operations in the Damascus Flight Information Region (FIR) (OSTT), provided that such flight operations are conducted under a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with a department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. government (or under a subcontract between the prime contractor of the department, agency, or instrumentality and the person described in paragraph (a) of this section) with the approval of the FAA, or under an exemption issued by the FAA. The FAA will consider requests for approval or exemption in a timely manner, with the order of preference being: First, for those operations in support of U.S. government-sponsored activities; second, for those operations in support of government-sponsored activities of a foreign country with the support of a U.S. government department, agency, or instrumentality; and third, for all other operations.
(d)In an emergency that requires immediate decision and action for the safety of the flight, the pilot in command of an aircraft may deviate from this section to the extent required by that emergency. Except for U.S. air carriers and commercial operators that are subject to the requirements of 14 CFR part 119, 121, 125, or 135, each person who deviates from this section must, within 10 days of the deviation, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays, submit to the responsible Flight Standards office a complete report of the operations of the aircraft involved in the deviation, including a description of the deviation and the reasons for it.
(e) Expiration. This SFAR will remain in effect until December 30, 2028. The FAA may amend, rescind, or extend this SFAR, as necessary.
[Docket FAA-2017-0768, Amdt. 91-348, 82 FR 40949, Aug. 29, 2017; Amdt. 91-348A, 82 FR 42592, Sept. 11, 2017, as amended by Amdt. 91-348B, 83 FR 63414, Dec. 10, 2018; Amdt. 91-348C, 85 FR 75845, Nov. 27, 2020; Amdt. 91-348D, 88 FR 89300, Dec. 27, 2023]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What does SFAR 114 under FAR 91.1609 prohibit, and who does it apply to?
Per FAR 91.1609, SFAR 114 prohibits flight operations in the Damascus FIR (OSTT). It applies to U.S. air carriers and commercial operators, FAA airman certificate holders, and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, with limited exceptions for foreign air carrier operations.
Q2Are there any circumstances where you could legally fly in the Damascus FIR?
Yes. FAR 91.1609(c) allows operations conducted under a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with a U.S. government entity with FAA approval, or under an FAA-issued exemption. FAR 91.1609(d) also allows the PIC to deviate in an emergency for the safety of flight.
Q3If you deviated from FAR 91.1609 due to an in-flight emergency, what must you do afterward?
Under FAR 91.1609(d), unless you operate under Part 119, 121, 125, or 135, you must submit a complete written report describing the deviation and the reasons for it to the responsible Flight Standards office within 10 days, excluding weekends and federal holidays.
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Related Sections in Part 91