Sanaa FIR Flight Prohibition

FAR 91.1611 Sanaa FIR Flight Prohibition

FAR 91.1611 (SFAR 115) prohibits U.S. operators from flying in specified portions of the Sanaa FIR (OYSC) over Yemen. Learn the boundaries and exceptions.

In Plain English

FAR 91.1611 is Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 115, which prohibits certain flights over Yemen's airspace due to ongoing security risks in the Sanaa Flight Information Region (OYSC).

Who it applies to:

  • All U.S. air carriers and U.S. commercial operators
  • Anyone 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 (except foreign air carriers)

What's prohibited: Flight operations in the western/northwestern portion of the Sanaa FIR, bounded by a series of waypoints (KAPET, NODMA, IMPAG, TIMAD, PARIM, RIBOK). Jet route UN303 is not authorized.

Permitted operations:

  • Flights in the southeastern portion of the Sanaa FIR, with Yemeni authority approval. Jet routes UT702 and M999 are authorized.
  • Flights in the prohibited zone may be conducted under a U.S. Government contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, or with FAA approval or exemption.

Emergency deviation: A PIC may deviate as required for flight safety, but non-Part 119/121/125/135 operators must file a written report with the Flight Standards office within 10 business days. The SFAR is in effect until January 7, 2028.

Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1611
§ 91.1611 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 115—Prohibition Against Certain Flights in Specified Areas of the Sanaa Flight Information Region (FIR) (OYSC). (a)This Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 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 portion of the Sanaa Flight Information Region (FIR) (OYSC) that is 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. (c)This section does not prohibit persons described in paragraph (a) of this section from conducting flight operations in the Sanaa FIR (OYSC) under the following circumstances: (1)Flight operations may be conducted in the Sanaa FIR (OYSC) in that airspace east of a line drawn direct from KAPET (163322N 0530614E) to NODMA (152603N 0533359E), southeast of a line drawn direct from NODMA to IMPAG (140638N 0503924E) then from IMPAG to TIMAD (115500N 0463500E), south of a line drawn direct from TIMAD to PARIM (123200N 0432720E), and west of a line drawn direct from PARIM to RIBOK (154700N 0415230E). Use of jet routes UT702 and M999 are authorized. All flight operations conducted under this subparagraph must be conducted subject to the approval of, and in accordance with the conditions established by, the appropriate authorities of Yemen. (2)Flight operations may be conducted 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) if 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 U.S. Government department, agency, or instrumentality and the person subject to paragraph (a)), 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)This SFAR will remain in effect until January 7, 2028. The FAA may amend, rescind, or extend this SFAR, as necessary. [Amdt. 91-340B, 84 FR 67665, Dec. 11, 2019, as amended by Amdt. 91-340C, 86 FR 69173, Dec. 7, 2021; Docket FAA-2015-8672; Amdt. 91-340D, 88 FR 65320, Sept. 22, 2023; Amdt. 91-340E, 89 FR 106307, Dec. 30, 2024]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Why does SFAR 115 (FAR 91.1611) restrict flight in the Sanaa FIR, and who is affected?
Per FAR 91.1611, SFAR 115 prohibits U.S. air carriers, FAA airman certificate holders, and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft from flying in specified portions of Yemen's Sanaa FIR (OYSC) due to safety and security hazards in that airspace.
Q2Are there any circumstances under which a U.S. operator may legally fly in the prohibited portion of the Sanaa FIR?
Yes. FAR 91.1611(c)(2) permits operations in the restricted area when conducted under a U.S. Government contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, or with an FAA approval or exemption, which the FAA prioritizes for U.S. Government-sponsored activities.
Q3If you must deviate from FAR 91.1611 due to an in-flight emergency, what are your responsibilities?
Under FAR 91.1611(d), the PIC may deviate as required for flight safety, but unless operating under Parts 119, 121, 125, or 135, must submit a complete report of the deviation to the responsible Flight Standards office within 10 days, excluding weekends and Federal holidays.
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FAR 91.1611 — Sanaa FIR (Yemen) Flight Prohibition