AIP for Somalia (section ENR-1.4) valid from 16 JAN 2024

ENR 1.4 ATS airspace classification

1 Classification of airspaces

Mogadishu ATS airspace is classified and designated in accordance with the following:

Class A.IFR flights only are permitted, all flights are subject to air traffic control service and are separated from each other.

Class D. IFR and VFR flights are permitted, and all flights are subject to air traffic control service, IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and receive traffic information in respect of VFR flights, VFR flights receive traffic information in respect of all other flights.

Class G. IFR and VFR flights are permitted and receive flight information service if requested.

The requirements for the flights within each class of airspace are as shown in the following table.

Class	Type of flight	Separation provided	Service provided	VMC visibility and distance from cloud minima∗	Speed limitation∗	Radio communication requirement	Subject to an ATC clearance
A**	IFR only	All aircraft	Air traffic control service	Not applicable	Not applicable	Continuous two-way	Yes
B∗∗	IFR	All aircraft	Air traffic control service	Not applicable	Not applicable	Continuous two-way	Yes
B∗∗	VFR	All aircraft	Air traffic control service	8 KM at and above 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL 5 KM below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL Clear of clouds	Not applicable	Continuous two-way	Yes
C**	IFR	IFR from IFR IFR from VFR	Air traffic control service	Not applicable	Not applicable	Continuous two-way	Yes
C**	VFR	VFR from IFR	Air traffic control service for separation from IFR; VFR/VFR traffic information (and traffic avoidance advice on request)	8 KM at and above 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL 5 KM below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL 1 500 M horizontal; 300 M vertical distancefrom cloud	250 KT IAS below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL	Continuous two-way	Yes
D	IFR	IFR from IFR	Air traffic control service including traffic information about VFR flights (and traffic avoidance advice on request)	Not applicable	250 KT IAS below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL	Continuous two-way	Yes
D	VFR	Nil	Traffic information between VFR and IFR flights (and traffic avoidance advice on request)	8 KM at and above 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL 5 KM below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL 1 500 M horizontal; 300 M vertical distancefrom cloud	250 KT IAS below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL	Continuous two-way	Yes
E∗∗	IFR	IFR from IFR	Air traffic control service and traffic information aboutVFR flights as faras practical	Not applicable	250 KT IAS below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL	Continuous two-way	Yes
E∗∗	VFR	Nil	Traffic information as far as practical	8 KM at and above 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL 5 KM below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL 1 500 M horizontal; 300 M vertical distancefrom cloud	250 KT IAS below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL	No	No
F∗∗	IFR	IFR from IFR as far as practical	Air traffic advisory service; flight information service	Not applicable	250 KT IAS below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL	Continuous two-way	No
F∗∗	VFR	Nil	Flight information service	8 KM at and above 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL 5 KM below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL 1 500 M horizontal; 300 M vertical distancefrom cloud At and below 900 M AMSL or 300 M above terrain whichever is higher – 5 KM∗∗∗, clear of cloud and in sight of ground or water	250 KT IAS below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL	No	No
G	IFR	Nil	Flight information service	Not applicable	250 KT IAS below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL	Continuous two-way	No
G	VFR	Nil	Flight information service	8 KM at and above 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL 5 KM below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL 1 500 M horizontal; 300 M vertical distancefrom cloud At and below 900 M AMSL or 300 M above terrain whichever is higher – 5 KM∗∗∗, clear of cloud and in sight of ground or water	250 KT IAS below 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL	No	No
∗ When the height of the transition altitude is lower than 3 050 M (10 000 FT) AMSL, FL 100 should be used in lieu of 10 000 FT. ∗∗ Classes of airspace A, B, C, E and F are not used in Mogadishu FIR. ∗∗∗ When so prescribed by the appropriate ATS authority: lower flight visibilities to 1 500 M may be permitted for flights operating: at speeds that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; or in circumstances in which the probability of encounters with other traffic would normally be low, e.g. in areas of low traffic volume and for aerial work at low levels; helicopters may be permitted to operate in less than 1 500 M flight visibility, if manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision.

2 AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES SYSTEMS

2.1 Description of Airspace

2.1.1 The Airspace over Somalia and surrounding territorial waters are contained in one FIR, Mogadishu FIR, which also extends over the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

2.1.2 Certain parts of the Mogadishu FIR have been further classified as controlled airspace. These airspaces are described in ENR 2.1-1

2.1.3 Flight Information Service and Alerting Service will be provided through the airspace described above. Where any part of the FIR has been further classified as controlled airspace, Flight Information and Alerting Services will be provided by the same controller that provides other ATS appropriate to the airspace classifications.

2.2 Flight Information Service

2.2.1 Within FIR Flight Information Service is provided under which the following information can be supplied to pilots who maintain radio communication with the appropriate aeronautical station:

Information on unusual or dangerous weather conditions (thunder-storms, severe turbulence etc)
The state of serviceability of navigation aids.
The state of aerodromes and associated facilities.
Other information considered pertinent to safety, including information concerning weather conditions along the route which may make operation under VFR impracticable.

2.3 Service to IFR flights may include, in addition, information concerning:

Weather conditions reported or forecast at destination or alternate aerodromes as available. (thunder-storms, severe turbulence etc)
Collision hazards, to aircraft operating outside controlled airspace.

Note: No separation service is given outside controlled airspace. The information given under (b) will relate only to known IFR aircraft the presence of which might constitute a collision hazard to the aircraft informed. It will sometimes be based on data of doubtful accuracy and completeness, and the ATS cannot assume responsibility for its revision at all times, nor for its accuracy.2.3.1. Flight Information Service does not relieve the pilot-in-command of any of his responsibilities, and he has to make the final decision regarding any alteration of flight plan

2.4 Types of Airspace and Air Traffic Service Units

2.4.1 Types of Airspace

The basic division of airspace is into regions of a convenient size known as “Flight Information Regions” (FIRs). They extend from ground level to a specified level or infinity. Throughout the FIR, Flight Information Service and Alerting Service are provided.

2.4.2 Within the FIRs, and forming parts of them, other types of airspace are established in which more comprehensive air traffic services are also provided. These other airspaces are called “Control Zones” and “Air Traffic Zones”.

2.4.3 A “Control Zone” is an airspace within which air traffic control service is provided to arriving and departing IFR flights. It extends from ground level to a specified height above mean sea level.

2.4.4 A “Control Area” is an airspace within which air traffic control service is provided to en route IFR flights. Control Areas extend upward from a specified height above ground level, and may or may not have upper limits.

2.4.5 An “Airway” is a control area, or part of a control area in the form of a corridor and marked by radio navigation aids.

2.5 Air Traffic Service Units

2.5.1 Flight Information Centre: A Flight Information Centre (FIC) serving an FIR provides:
-Flight Information Service
-Alerting Service to aircraft in the FIR.

2.5.2 Area Control Centre: An Area Control Centre (ACC) serving a Control Area provides air traffic control service (including flight information and alerting services) to aircraft flying en route under IFR in the Control Area.

2.5.3 Approach Control Unit: An Approach Control Unit provides Approach control services to aircraft taking off or landing under IFR.

2.5.4 Aerodrome Control Unit: An Aerodrome Control Unit provides aerodrome control service at an aerodrome (i.e. controls all aerodrome traffic that does not come under the Approach Control Unit - taxiing aircraft, vehicular traffic, local flying under VFR).

2.5.5 Hours of watch of controlling authorities are shown in this section and the control zones are effective only during these hours.

2.5.6 Where necessary, special procedures for use in control zones have been produced. Those for Mogadishu Control Zone are described in the Aerodrome Section AD 2.

2.5.7 The control Zones and Terminal Control Areas established in Somalia are notified in ENR 2.1.

2.6 General Provision

2.6.1 Hours of Watch of Controlling Authorities are shown in the Aerodrome Section of this AIP.

2.6.2 Permission to Enter a Control Zone or a Control Area

Pilots wishing to enter a control zone or a control area under IFR must request and obtain permission to do so from the controlling authority. Request by RTF should be made when at least 10 minutes flying time from the boundary.

Pilots in communication with the FIC before entering controlled airspace may request and obtain entry clearance via the FIC. After obtaining such clearance, they should remain in communication with the ACC until instructed to contact the controlling authority.

2.6.3 When requesting permission to enter controlled airspace, the pilot should give the following information, if it has not already been passed to the FIC in a routine position report:

Call sign or aircraft identification.
Type of Aircraft.
Position, level and flight conditions.
Estimated time of arrival.
Destination.
True Air Speed.

2.6.4 If the aerodrome of departure is less than 10 minutes flying time from the boundary, pilots should, request clearance before departure.

2.7 Special Application of IFR

2.7.1 When the observed cloud base at aerodrome within the control zones notified in the table below is more than 4oktas below 1500 feet or visibility is less than 8 km, all aircraft must obtain an Air Traffic Control Clearance or special VFR authorization before undertaking a flight within the control zone.