FAR 91.1615 — Pyongyang FIR Flight Prohibition
FAR 91.1615 (SFAR 79) prohibits U.S. operators and FAA airmen from flying in the Pyongyang FIR (ZKKP). Learn who's covered, exceptions, and emergency rules.
In Plain English
FAR 91.1615 is Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 79, which bans most U.S.-related flight operations inside the Pyongyang Flight Information Region (FIR), ICAO code ZKKP — the airspace controlled by North Korea. The prohibition exists because of the serious safety risk to civil aircraft transiting that airspace.
The rule applies to:
- All U.S. air carriers and U.S. commercial operators
- Anyone exercising the privileges of an FAA airman certificate (unless flying a U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier)
- Operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft (unless the operator is a foreign air carrier)
Limited exceptions exist:
- Flights conducted under a U.S. government contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, with FAA approval
- Operations conducted under an FAA-issued exemption
- In-flight emergencies that require immediate action for safety — the PIC may deviate as needed, but most operators must file a written report to the responsible Flight Standards Office within 10 business days
This SFAR is currently set to expire September 18, 2028, unless amended or extended.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1615§ 91.1615 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 79—Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Pyongyang Flight Information Region (FIR) (ZKKP).
(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 Pyongyang Flight Information Region (FIR) (ZKKP).
(c)This section does not prohibit persons described in paragraph (a) of this section from conducting flight operations in the Pyongyang Flight Information Region (FIR) (ZKKP), 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)This SFAR will remain in effect until September 18, 2028. The FAA may amend, rescind, or extend this SFAR, as necessary.
[Docket FAA-2018-0838, Amdt. 91-352, 83 FR 47064, Sept. 18, 2018, as amended by Amdt. 91-352A, 85 FR 55377, Sept. 8, 2020; Docket FAA-2018-0838, Amdt. 91-352B, 88 FR 63525, Sept. 15, 2023]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What does SFAR 79 in FAR 91.1615 prohibit, and who does it apply to?
Per FAR 91.1615, SFAR 79 prohibits flight operations in the Pyongyang FIR (ZKKP). 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 carriers.
Q2Are there any circumstances where you could legally fly in the Pyongyang FIR under FAR 91.1615?
Yes. FAR 91.1615(c) allows operations conducted under a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with a U.S. government agency with FAA approval, or under an FAA-issued exemption. Priority goes first to U.S. government-sponsored activities.
Q3If you had to deviate into the Pyongyang FIR for an emergency, what are your responsibilities?
Under FAR 91.1615(d), the PIC may deviate as required by the emergency. Except for Part 119, 121, 125, or 135 operators, the pilot must submit a complete report describing the deviation to the responsible Flight Standards Office within 10 days, excluding weekends and federal holidays.
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