US and Australia banned their planes from flying over Somalia | Diplomat News Network

US and Australia banned their planes from flying over Somalia | Diplomat News Network

United States of America and Australia has issued warnings about targeting by armed militants against aircrafts passing on Somalia airspace because of the threat of terrorist and militant attacks.
But many airlines can still fly over it if they choose and it’s up to you to figure out which ones.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned all US airlines from flying over Somalia deeming it too dangerous, however many countries have not done the same.
Following the downing of MH17 over Ukrainian airspace on July 17 last year, it emerged the FAA had banned all US airlines from flying over the Crimea region citing safety concerns.
The restricted airzone was about 320kms northeast from the crash site, which was reportedly not included in the FAA warning.
It also emerged other countries issued similar warnings including Malaysia.
The International Transport Association later revealed the airspace MH17 had flown through was not subject to restrictions.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia has listed Somalia as country to avoid.
It says Aussies should not travel to the area because of the armed conflict and a high threat of kidnapping.
It says terrorist attacks in Mogadishu are frequent, and can target foreigners.
“Further attacks are likely,” it says.
Militant groups have been known to use anti-aircraft weapons which are capable targeting aircraft at higher altitudes on approach and departure.
In background information released by the FAA it says the terrorist group al-Shabaab shot down an IL-76 aircraft using MANPADS in March 2007 and conducted ground assaults against Mogadishu International Airport, the most recent of which occurred in December 2014.
“Attacks against aircraft in-flight or Somali airports can occur with little or no warning,” it says.
Three African Union peacekeepers and a civilian contractor were killed in the Mogadishu airport attack.
The FAA says it is this, as well as the civil unrest, that form the reasons for the ban, which was issued on May 12.