FAA Withdraws Prohibition Against Flights to Ethiopia

The FAA on February 4 published a final rule in the Federal Register removing the prohibition of certain flights into and within Ethiopian airspace originally outlined in Special FAR 87 published in May 2000. The FAA said both the safety and security situation that prompted the original prohibition have significantly improved and that it is now safe for U.S. civil flights to be operated within the entire territory and airspace of Ethiopia.

All flights remain subject to the approval of and must be operated in accordance with the conditions established by the appropriate authorities of Ethiopia.

The original prohibition had applied to flight operations within Ethiopian airspace north of 12 degrees north latitude conducted by U.S. air carriers or commercial operators, as well as airmen holding U.S. pilot certificates.